TO:                  Mayor William F. Martin, Jr.

                                    And

                        Members of the Lowell City Council

FROM:            Bernard F. Lynch, City Manager

DATE:             November 26, 2007

SUBJECT:        Billerica Power Plant Project

___________________________________________________________________________

In response to previous requests, I want to update the Council on the status of the Billerica power plant project. For the past year the project has been making its way through the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) project review process. In January 2007, Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles ordered the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) was filed in September 2007. On November 1, 2007, Secretary Bowles issued a Certificate on the DEIR in which he required the preparation of a Final EIR (FEIR). Secretary Bowles ordered the applicant to provide additional information on wetlands, stormwater, water supply, air quality, noise, hazardous waste impacts, and mitigation.

The two most likely impacts to residents of Lowell pertain to air quality and noise. Secretary Bowles noted that the project generally complies with State air quality criteria and that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) did not cite any concerns in this regard. As noted above, however, the FEIR will provide further information on air quality. Likewise, the Secretary found that noise associated with the plant will not exceed State or local limits. 

We will continue to follow this project and make sure Lowell residents’ interests are protected. Please contact me if I can provide further information in this regard. Thank you.