EFSB Certificate

  • On June 30, 2026, Moraga Storage, LLC (“Moraga” or the “Company”) filed with the Energy Facilities Siting Board (the “Siting Board” or “EFSB”), pursuant to St. 2024, c. 239, § 118, an Initial Petition and an Application for a Certificate of Environmental Impact and Public Interest (“Certificate”).  The Company docketed this proceeding as EFSB 26-01.  In this docket, the Company seeks a Certificate with nine state and local permits to allow the construction and operation of a 180-megawatt /720-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system (“BESS”) project at 358 Coldbrook Road, Oakham Massachusetts (“Project”). The Siting Board previously granted individual and comprehensive zoning exemptions for the Project subject to conditions by final decision on June 26, 2026, in EFSB 25-07.  The Siting Board’s website has a project-specific webpage for this proceeding and will update it during the proceeding: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/certificate-for-oakham-bess

  • ‍All documents filed in relation to proceedings are posted to the DPU File Room.  The File Room page for the proceeding represents the official record. The public can access the File Room page for this proceeding at the following link:‍ ‍

  • Tuesday, September 8, 2026:

    (1)  An individual or organization seeking to participate in the proceeding as an intervenor or limited participant must file a petition with the EFSB by September 8, 2026, (see instructions below);

    (2)  Any person may submit written comments to the EFSB by September 8, 2026, (instructions below). Your written comments help inform the Siting Board about public concerns regarding the Certificate request and important issues for review in the proceeding.

    Intervenors or limited participants in EFSB 25-07 are automatically granted the same status in this proceeding (EFSB 26-01) without need of filing a new petition.

    A petition to intervene must demonstrate that the petitioner may be substantially and specifically affected by this proceeding. Petitions to intervene or participate must satisfy the requirements of 980 CMR 1.05, the Siting Board’s procedural rules, which are on the Siting Board’s website at: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-petition-to-intervene-in-an-efsb-or-dpu-siting-case.

    Both petitions to intervene or participate on a limited basis and written comments must be filed with: (1) the Siting Board in electronic format, by e-mail attachment to dpu.efiling@mass.gov; (2) the presiding officer at Daniel.W.Keleher@mass.gov; and (3) Moraga’s counsel at akaplan@pierceatwood.com. The text of the e-mail must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (EFSB 26-01); (2) the name of the person or entity submitting the filing; and (3) a brief description of the document. The electronic filing should also include the name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing.

    Thursday, October 22, 2026:

    The Siting Board will conduct an initial remote evidentiary hearing to collect evidence related to Moraga’s Initial Petition and Application, beginning on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Details on viewing or participating in that hearing will be posted on the EFSB’s information webpage and provided to the service list before the hearing.

Petition for Zoning Exemption

  • On March 31, 2025, Moraga Storage LLC requested that, pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 40A, § 3, the Energy Facilities Siting Board grant individual and comprehensive zoning exemptions from the Town of Oakham Zoning Bylaw to construct a 180 megawatt, four-hour duration, Battery Energy Storage System and related electrical infrastructure on a 42.9 acre parcel of land off Coldbrook Road in Oakham, Massachusetts.

    On June 26, 2026, the Energy Facilities Siting Board reviewed the Company’s Petition to determine whether:  (1) the Company qualifies as a public service corporation; (2) its proposed use of the land or structures is reasonably necessary for the public convenience or welfare; and (3) an exemption from local zoning is required.  The Final Decision finds that Moraga is a public service corporation.  The Final Decision finds that the Project as proposed is necessary and will provide public benefits, and that the Company considered alternative sites.  An evaluation of the environmental and public safety impacts showed that the Company met the applicable standard of public convenience or welfare.

  • The petition to construct the Project can be found at the link below:

    All documents filed in relation to a proceeding are posted to the DPU Fileroom.  The Fileroom page for a proceeding represents the official record for that proceeding. The public can access the Fileroom page for this proceeding at the following link:

  • The Energy Facilities Siting Board held a public hearing on June 25, 2026, to determine whether a zoning exemption for the project would be granted. The EFSB voted unanimously to grant a zoning exception for Moraga Storage.