This Compressor Station poses a serious threat to the health, safety, environment, and economy of the South Shore.
Enbridge*, a Canadian energy company, recently completed construction of a 7,700-horsepower Fracked-Gas Compressor Station adjacent to the new Fore River Bridge in North Weymouth. This station will adversely affect South Shore residents, unless we can stop it from operating.
This facility has no business being in this location - or any location. Compressors are usually built in rural areas given their environmental, health, and safety risks. The Weymouth Compressor Station has been built in the most densely populated location ever in a coastal area in the United States. The compressor is not needed in the Basin or anywhere else.
This compressor is part of the Atlantic Bridge pipeline project, which Enbridge built to bring fracked gas through New England and into Canada. The compressor was also a component of the Access Northeast project, which would have expanded the compressor to 18,600HP. Access Northeast was withdrawn on June 29, 2017.
This compressor station will create air, noise, and odor problems that will affect residents in Weymouth, Quincy, Braintree, and the South Shore. Compressors pose a serious health risk, especially when in such close proximity to a dense residential area. There's also a history of catastrophic accidents at similar Compressors that could paralyze traffic, devastate our waterfront, and put residents at serious risk.
There was no public vote and limited public input in this process. The fight against the compressor began in late 2015. Over that time, local residents and supporters joined the ongoing opposition to ensure that our voices were heard. Join us as we continue to ask our Local, State, and Federal governments and regulatory agencies to put a stop to this foolish idea (yes, although it’s been built, it can still be stopped from operating).
*Enbridge merged with Spectra Energy in 2017, making it one of the largest oil and gas companies in North America. Though the two have merged under the name of Enbridge, you may continue to see the name “Spectra” throughout our site and publications.
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The Town of Braintree recently launched a Community Air Sensor Grant Program to help residents monitor air quality in the Fore River Basin. If you are a Braintree resident, you can apply here for a free PurpleAir monitor. Monitors will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis based on eligibility.
TAKE ACTION: Call Mayor Molisse’s office today (781-340-5012) and tell him We need the Town of Weymouth to stop stonewalling and finally connect the West Waterfront Trail to King’s Cove Park. This connector is a vital missing link in our shoreline loop and was a requirement of the original power plant siting decision.
Are you new to the fossil fuel opposition movement? Or just need a refresher on fossil fuel pipelines and the risks they pose? The fabulous team at BEAT (Berkshire Environmental Action Team) and PLAN-NE(Pipe Line Awareness Network Northeast) put together an informative slide presentation. You can watch a recording of the webinar here.
Action Item: Public Comment on Chapter 91 License for Kings Cove Conservation Restriction Area MCP Response Action
Action Item: Protest the reissuance of FERC certificate to the Constitution Pipeline by January 29. Detailed instructions are available at NoFrackedGasInMass.org
We have decided that our November meeting will be postponed until the January date of 1/13/26. While this seems like a long way off, we are sure we will all be busy through the holidays and that it will come in no time at all!
However, we do have some important information to share with you and some action items for your consideration as well.
We recently wrapped up our Fore River Basin Summit on Health, Safety, and the Environment. Many thanks to all who joined us. And a big thank to our guest speakers, Dr. Phil Landrigan, Dr. Nathan Phillips, and Dr. Sandra Steingraber! We'd also like to shout out the organizers of this summit: Elizabeth Maglio, Judy Roberts, and Margaret Bellafiore.
Yesterday raw sewage flowed directly into the Monatiquot and Fore Rivers with little public notice.
It does not have to be this way. Please TAKE ACTION: Call Braintree Mayor Joyce 781-794-8100 and MassDEP 508-946-2750 and say this is unacceptable and against the law, and the public deserves the right to know when poop flows into our local waterbodies
Public Comment on EENF for Kings Cove Conservation Restriction Area MCP Response Action. We encourage you to submit comments. We have provided a guide on how to submit comments, as well as sample text. You can access that guide here: Word | PDF
On Friday, June 6, we after received an update on our Ch. 91 Waterways License appeal. MA DEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple issued her final decision, adopting the Recommended Final Decision of Chief Presiding Officer Giorlandino and directing MassDEP to (re)issue the Chapter 91 Waterways License to Algonquin. This decision came more than six months after Presiding Officer Giorlandino’s RFD was released, and nearly 18 months after closing arguments were heard in January 2024.
We have some "bad" and yet completely expected news to share with you. On Friday, December 20th we received the decision from the MassDEP OADR regarding the Ch. 91 Waterways appeal. Unsurprisingly, they decided against us and for Enbridge and the DEP.
We wanted to provide you with a short update on one of our final appeals before the MassDEP.
CommonWealth Beacon published a story on Enbridge’s “Project Maple” expansion project. You can read an excerpt below and the full article here.
In mid-September, nearly 9 months after closing arguments, we received our first update on the case. Mr. Giorlandino stated he wanted feedback on what bearing, if any, two recent court cases have on our case. Those cases are: City of Port Isabel v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Conservation Law Foundation v. Energy Facilities Siting Board.
Our attorney, on behalf of the “Ten Residents Group”, had to file a supplemental brief on this matter, as did Enbridge (Algonquin), and Mass DEP. The supplemental briefs are available below.
Today, FRRACS members visited the Boston Public Library and engaged with Governor Healey as she entered and exited the building for her hour long "Ask the Governor" show on Boston Public Radio. FRRACS was outside with signs that were seen from inside and recorded on their livestream. Signs read: “Maura! Don’t Let Enbridge Gas Bully MADEP!”
Just this week, we received our first update on the case. Mr. Giorlandino is seeking feedback on what bearing, if any, two recent court cases have on our case. Those cases are: City of Port Isabel v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Conservation Law Foundation v. Energy Facilities Siting Board.
Margaret returned to the Fore River Bridge for her annual “Black Widow” performance.
You can watch a clip of stills from the performance here.
FRRACS wrote to Ms. Lavinson, ED of the new Office of Energy Transformation, to protest Mr. Beaton’s position on the OET advisory board. You can read our letter below.
The recording of the Public Involvement Program meeting held at Weymouth High School on May 14, 2024 has been posted by VHB at this site: https://projects.vhbapps.com/weymouth-pip/
Enbridge gave a presentation to Middleborough Gas & Electric Commission on May 8, 2024, as part of their Project Maple expansion plans.
With the recent rainfall the Town of Braintree and the MWRA have dumped raw sewage into the Fore River Basin. This gets bacteria like E-coli into our waterways impacting public health. Sanitary Sewer Overflows like this where poop is going into our rivers are illegal under the federal Clean Water Act of 1973.
Once again, FRRACS members attended Gov. Healey’s appearance on Boston Public Radio’s “Ask the Governor” radio segment. We joined forces with SJPE (Stop Private Jet Expansion). You can learn more about SPJE’s campaign here.
As we move forward in our campaign, we wanted to let you know that we have made the decision to move our meeting schedule from monthly to every other month. But don't fret -- we are still active behind-the-scenes and are committed to the fight long-term! If something urgent or time-sensitive arises, we will schedule a meeting sooner.
Join us in this endeavor to preserve our history and understand the health challenges we face. Learn more and contribute to the campaign at https://leventhalmap.donorsupport.co/page/weymouth-quincy-braintree
On January 31, 2024, the parties in the Ch.91 Waterways Appeal hearing met again for oral arguments. The second hearing lasted close to two and half hours. We expect to hear a final decision from the Presiding Officer sometime in March. We will keep you updated. You can watch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6t2c2akQa8
Stop Project Maple, a multi-state coalition of nearly 100 community organizations from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, delivered a letter to Governor Healey, to bring attention to Enbridge’s Project Maple.
For years now, FRRACS members have called into Boston Public Radio’s segment, “Ask the Governor”, with hopes to speak with Governors Baker and Healey. A handful of times, they accepted our call and took our question over the air. Oftentimes, they would just screen our call. More recently, we have been holding a standout at Boston Public Library during the live program with Governor Healey. This week, the Marvelous Margaret, and our dear friends Charlie, Jerry and Gavin, got her attention.
Videographer Robert Lamothe filmed our rally on November 15, 2023. You can watch the footage below. Thanks, Bob!
Today, five people blocked a gate at the site of the Enbridge gas compressor station in Weymouth. Members of Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) and their allies are blocking the gate while sitting in rocking chairs & holding baby dolls, to highlight the need to protect current and future generations from fossil fuel pollution. Signs at their feet read: “No More Toxic Gas”.
On October 25, 2023, the first part of our Ch. 91 Waterways License appeal hearing with Mass DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and Enbridge took place. You can watch a recording of the hearing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxpIqkHvqCw
Frequently Asked Questions & More Info:
ImAGE SOURCE: Ecori
What Is a Compressor Station?
Compressor Stations are part of Enbridge’s pipeline running from New Jersey to Canada. Compressors help move fracked gas along the system, and must be installed every 40-to-100 miles. During normal operations, compressor stations emit air and noise pollution. More serious impacts are felt during periodic blowdowns, during which millions of cubic-feet of untreated natural gas are released into the air.
Where Is the Compressor located on the South Shore?
The compressor site is directly adjacent to the new Fore River Bridge in North Weymouth. The site is within 1/2-mile of 900+ homes in Weymouth and Quincy, and the deleterious effects will be felt throughout the South Shore. Similar stations are usually built on 50+ acre parcels, far removed from residential communities. This site is 4-acres, and unprecedentedly close to thousands of residents.
Learn More About the Location and Reach of Impact...
• 3,100 Kids Within 1 Mile
• Increased Asthma & Cancer
• Loud, Unannounced Releases
• A Permeating "Gas Smell"
• Property Value Decreases
• Tax Base Erosion
• Transportation Risks
• A History of Accidents
What Are The Risks of a Compressor Station being built here?
Compressor stations are usually built in rural locations because of their environmental impacts, including air, noise, and odor pollution concerns. There's also a scary track record of accidents, not to mention the periodic blowdowns that will disrupt residents and cause unknown health impacts.
What a Compressor Station "blowdown" looks and sounds like
Enbridge talks a lot about normal daily operations, and downplays the periodic blowdowns that occur at all Compressor Stations. These are done for maintenance, to relieve gas pressure, or in the case of an emergency. During a blowdown, untreated fracked gas will be blown into the air and into our communities with unknown health impacts.
Are Compressor Stations Safe? NO.
Under normal circumstances, maybe. But there is a proven record of fire and explosions at Compressor Stations across the country. If a similar incident happened at the proposed Weymouth location, it would have enormous impacts on the surrounding community.
This video is from the Falcon Fracked Gas Compressor Station in Pinedale, Wyoming. On December 6th, 2011 it caught fire and exploded during a "normal venting operation." An incident like this would require massive evacuations and the shut-down of Route 3A.
Will My Home Be Affected?
There are 900+ property owners within 1/2 mile of the site. But the impacts would be felt much further than that. For example, the smell of natural gas will reach Hingham and Hull (and perhaps beyond). The Compressor will also decrease property values and erode our tax base, while significantly burdening our public services– and with little-to-no benefit for local residents. Towns will see a decreased tax base, which means lower budgets for municipal services.
What Is Being Done To Stop The Weymouth Compressor Station?
Even after six years, there is a growing coalition working to stop this madness! Join us!
There was no public vote. The Town of Weymouth put up a fight for many years but in late 2020, Mayor Hedlund accepted a $10M payout from Enbridge in exchange for dropping all lawsuits. This fight now lands on hands of FRRACS, the City of Quincy, and the Town of Braintree. This project was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 2019. FERC is a federal agency that has continually approved these stations, despite local opposition nationwide.
It is important that we continue to organize and mobilize the opposition to ensure that the compressor does not operate for long. Join the mailing list to be kept up-to-date.
Opponents of the Weymouth Compressor Station
Join the growing network of Citizens, Politicians, Organizations, and Businesses who are standing up in opposition to this Compressor Station being built in North Weymouth.
