I’m writing to share an update on the relicensing of FirstLight, one month before MassDEP’s deadline to issue, deny, or waive a final 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC).
Because of constituent advocacy, my team and I understand that this relicensing will affect the health of the Connecticut River over the length of our district — Northampton to Northfield — and beyond.
Raising our voices
On February 19, I joined Representative Natalie Blais, constituents, and advocates at Greenfield Community College to share comments on the draft 401 WQC with members of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) team.
You can read the written version of those comments, which I submitted with Representatives Blais and Mindy Domb, here. They appear alongside all other comments submitted during this process here. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write.
I have heard strong concerns from advocates and experts in our region that MassDEP’s draft WQC has not gone far enough to ensure that FirstLight’s operations do not harm the river. My colleagues and I have argued alongside many of you that MassDEP’s Draft 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) must include stronger conditions to enable water quality standards to be met.
In addition to sending in this comment during the public comment period, I also joined Representative Blais in a meeting with MassDEP to underscore the strong objections raised by advocates and experts in the region.
We’re also working with Congressman Jim McGovern and Senator Ed Markey, both of whom have reached out to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to express their concern.
This is the moment for MassDEP to take a clear, bold, and decisive stand to protect the long-term health and local oversight over the Connecticut River and the protection of the species, communities, and economies that depend on it.
What happens next?
MassDEP has until April 22, 2025 to issue, deny, or waive a final 401 Water Quality Certification.
After this, we will officially pass the baton to our federal delegation colleagues as the relicensing process goes next to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
We’ve been grateful to the teams of our federal delegation partners who have been engaged with us in the state portion of the relicensing process and listening deeply to concerns of constituents so that they can be the strongest advocates during this next phase of the relicensing.
