The utility Eversource can soon begin construction on a controversial electrical substation in East Boston.
Much to the outrage of opponents and many residents, the company secured its final environmental permits for the project Tuesday evening with a special waiver from a state board. The Energy Facilities Siting Board, which controls permitting for all large energy projects in Massachusetts, voted to allow Eversource to bypass the 14 remaining state and local permits it needed for the project.
The decision came at the end of a seven-hour Zoom meeting during which several public officials, local residents and environmental advocates urged board members to either deny Eversource’s request or delay its decision until Governor-elect Maura Healey takes office in January and appoints new members.
Meanwhile Senator Edward Markey blasted the decision. Read his remarks here.
