Submit your comments against Spectra’s permit applications
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Submit your comments to the MassDEP and Conservation Commission.
Read More
Reminder – Important Meeting March 28
/Don’t forget tomorrow is the meeting with the MassDEP regarding Spectra’s permit application. Details below:
We ask you to attend a special public meeting with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
WHEN: MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016 beginning at 5:30 PM
WHERE: THE ABIGAIL ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
89 MIDDLE STREET, WEYMOUTH
WHAT: This is a public meeting to help the DEP determine whether or not to grant permits to Spectra Energy Texas to build the compressor station in a designated port.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND: DEP Chapter 91 regulations state that in order for a facility to be sited in a designated port, it must be water dependent. This compressor station is NOT water dependent. Additionally, due to the toxic nature of this facility, it will be dumping Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) into the water and air in the Fore River Basin.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD! TELL THE MassDEP TO DENY SPECTRA’S PERMIT !
Submit Comments to Mass DEP on Spectra's Chapter 91 Waterways Application
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Instructions on how to submit your comments to the MassDEP in regards to Spectra's application to build the Compressor Station in a Designated Port Area. They claim it is "ancillary to a water-dependent use [their Hubline]." We believe they can not prove "that such facility cannot reasonably be located or operated away from tidal or inland waters" [301 CMR 9.12 (2)(c)
Read MoreAlert: Important Meeting March 28
/ACTION ALERT-
We ask you to attend a special public meeting with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
WHEN: MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2016 beginning at 5:30 PM
WHERE: THE ABIGAIL ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
89 MIDDLE STREET, WEYMOUTH
WHAT: This is a public meeting to help the DEP determine whether or not to grant permits to Spectra Energy Texas to build the compressor station in a designated port.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND: DEP Chapter 91 regulations state that in order for a facility to be sited in a designated port, it must be water dependent. This compressor station is NOT water dependent. Additionally, due to the toxic nature of this facility, it will be dumping Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) into the water and air in the Fore River Basin.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD! TELL THE MassDEP TO DENY SPECTRA’S PERMIT !
For More Information and to keep updated, check back here on our website.
“Like” us on Facebook here.
Email us at: nocompressor@gmail.com
ALERT—ALERT—ALERT—ALERT
The Patriot Ledger Changes their Tune
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The Patriot Ledger, 3/13/16
Last August The Patriot Ledger released a pro-compressor station editorial and faced immediate backlash from the community. We're happy to see that they may be shifting from their original stance.
FRRACS Meeting March 8
/Hey friends, Don't forget FRRACS is meeting this week. There's lots to discuss and projects to start working on, so we hope you can make it.
When: Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm
Where: Fore River Club House in Quincy (16 Nevada Rd.)
* For folks new to the group who want to get a recap on the campaign, you're welcome to join us at 6:30pm.
See you on Tuesday!
Proposed Pipeline Projects
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We do not need this amount of gas. Ever. With the addition of excess solar, wind, and hydro power coming online and with the conservation being done with energy efficient appliances, etc, this is more gas than we could ever use
Read MoreImportant Meeting March 9 - SPECTRA CANCELED
/UPDATE - SPECTRA HAS CANCELED THEIR APPEARANCE AT THE MARCH 9 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING, but they may be there in April. We will keep you updated!
CANCELED - Spectra will be before the Weymouth Conservation Commission on March 9th at 7:00PM in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall. Please plan to attend this important meeting, if you can. We need to deny Spectra our public lands.
A legal notice should be appearing in the paper and the agenda will be out a few days prior.
After thoughtfully and meticulously reading through just one of Spectra's 300-page documents, Councilor Rebecca Haugh came across this striking statement that pertains to the proposed compressor station:
"The Weymouth Compressor Station is also considered to be a high consequence area."
As Councilor Haugh said, "If it is a high consequence area, then why is it being considered and why are there no regulations or laws to protect humans? There are more regulations protecting birds, turtles and bats than human beings with these projects."
Join us on Wednesday, March 9 at the Town Hall in Weymouth (75 Middle Street) to defend our public lands from Spectra.
Action: Protest Gov. Baker's Pipeline TAX
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pipeline tax hearing 2
Attend the crucial hearing on this issue on Thursday, February 25 at 1:30PM. More details here.
Eversource and National Grid have petitioned Gov. Baker's DPU to institute a Pipeline TAX (you heard right, a tax) to be figured into the rate structure of EVERY electric bill for the residents of Massachusetts. This TAX is to pay for the as yet unbuilt and unnecessary pipelines and compressors of Kinder Morgan and Spectra. This is unprecedented for a rate increase to be established prior to a build-out.
The people of the Commonwealth will pay for the infrastructure of PRIVATE corporations, own none of the infrastructure for which they have paid, and have NO guarantee of lower prices in the future or even of receiving any of the gas coming through the pipelines. The MAJORITY of this gas, whether Spectra or Kinder Morgan, is headed for Canada to be off-shored on the world market.
On February 8, 2016, the DOE signed off on the permits to export this gas to Non-FTA (Free Trade Association) countries. The permits to export to FTA countries was given last May.
There will be an important hearing on this issue on Thursday, February 25 at 1:30PM - meet outside of South Station. More details here.
Tell the DPU and Gov. Baker: No Taxation Without Representation! Gov. Baker is supporting this TAX.
FRRACS Meeting Tonight 2/9
/Hey Folks, Don't forget - FRRACS will be meeting tonight!
When: 6:30PM for new folks--and "old folks," too
7:00pm for our regular meeting.
Where: Fore River Clubhouse, 16 Nevada Road, Quincy (our new and permanent home)
We have lots of actions planned and are in need of your help.
If you can't make it tonight, no worries, our regular meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, beginning at 6:30 at the Clubhouse! So, the next meeting is Tuesday, March 8.
Hope to see you tonight!
Renewables > LNG
/Here's a great new article on the rise of renewables compared to liquefied natural gas. A report, prepared by an independent firm, the Brattle Group, "warns investors, governments and regulators that renewable forms of energy could outcompete high-cost and high-risk liquefied natural gas projects."
Saturday: Health Effects Presentation
/This Saturday, January 30, folks from PA will be discussing the health impacts of natural gas in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. This may be only time to hear their presentation and it'll be a great opportunity to connect with other pipeline communities. If you're interested in carpooling, then please email us at NoCompressor@gmail.com. More info below:
Presentation on Health Effects of Compressor Stations & Natural Gas Infrastructure
Researchers from the Southwest PA Environmental Health Project will be holding an afternoon seminar to help address questions from New England Communities with a focus on the effects of air pollution from Natural Gas Infrastructure.
This presentation is especially intended for local health and safety officials, town leaders and local activist leaders from communities that could be affected by pipelines, compressor stations and natural gas electric generation plants, though the general public is also welcome.
Since the researchers from SWP-EHP have limited availability to speak outside of their study area, the South Deerfield, Massachusetts location was chosen to be central to communities across New England and upstate New York. This may be a one-time opportunity to hear from the team that led the study on health effects from the Minisink, NY compressor station. Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:00 - 4:00 PM Frontier Regional High School 113 N Main St. South Deerfield, MA 01373
The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (EHP) is a nonprofit environmental health organization created to assist and support Washington County residents who believe their health has been, or could be, impacted by natural gas drilling activities. http://www.environmentalhealthproject.org/
Tonight: Health Effects Discussion
/Don't forget: Tonight- January 26 – Discussion on the Health Effects of Compressor Stations
7 pm – Thomas Crane Public Library (Quincy Center)
Details: Dr. Curt Nordgaard will lead a discussion on the potential health effects of the proposed compressor station. Co-sponsored by QCAN and FRRACS.
Opposition by residents and office-holders to the proposed Fore River compressor station stems largely from the idea that emissions from the facility would harm the health of Quincy and Weymouth residents.
Research on the Spectra proposal by Nordgaard, who also has a master’s in biology, has taken him deep into the scientific literature on health effects of compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein, three of many pollutants that will be emitted by the compressor station, according to Spectra’s application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Shuttle and Translators for Open House Tomorrow
/Algonquin will be providing shuttles from parts of Quincy to the Open House tomorrow, Wednesday January 27. The schedule is as follows: Ground Transportation:
Pickup 1: GERMANTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, 366 PALMER ST. QUINCY, MA
Pickup 2: O’BRIEN TOWERS 73 BICKNELL ST. QUINCY, MA
Drop-off: BOSTON MARRIOTT, 1000 MARRIOTT DRIVE QUINCY, MA
(Shuttles will run in a loop between all three locations)
First Pick Up Time: 5:00PM
Shuttles will run return trips until everyone from Germantown has left the meeting.
Three shuttles that will run continuously, which includes a wheelchair accessible bus to ensure everyone will have access to the shuttle.
There will also be two translators: one will be able to translate Cantonese/Mandarin and the other will be for Spanish-speakers.
Presentation on Health Effects of Compressor Stations & Natural Gas Infrastructure
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This Saturday, January 30, folks from PA will be discussing the health impacts of natural gas in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. This may be only time to hear their presentation and it’ll be a great opportunity to connect with other pipeline communities. If you’re interested in carpooling, then please email us at NoCompressor@gmail.com.
Read MoreImportant Events this Week (and next)!
/The cold weather won't slow us down! Grab your coat and winter gear to join some of the important climate events coming up this week and next: This THURSDAY, January 21 - Demonstration to Stop the Secret Pipeline Tax
7pm - Massachusetts State House, Boston (near Park St. Station)
Details: On Thursday, Governor Baker will be delivering his first-ever "State of the State" address to the legislature. We'll be there, shining a spotlight on Governor Baker's silence and asking him to take a stand against the pipeline tax!
Check out the Facebook event here
Tuesday, January 26 - Discussion on the Health Effects of Compressor Stations
7 pm - Thomas Crane Public Library (Quincy Center)
Details: Dr. Curt Nordgaard will lead a discussion on the potential health effects of the proposed compressor station. Co-sponsored by QCAN and FRRACS.
Opposition by residents and office-holders to the proposed Fore River compressor station stems largely from the idea that emissions from the facility would harm the health of Quincy and Weymouth residents.
Research on the Spectra proposal by Nordgaard, who also has a master’s in biology, has taken him deep into the scientific literature on health effects of compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein, three of many pollutants that will be emitted by the compressorstation, according to Spectra’s application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Wednesday, January 27 - Spectra Open House
5:30-7:30 - Boston Marriott Quincy (1000 Marriott Drive), Quincy, MA
Details: This open house is for the Access Northeast project. We will be flyering at the Marriott. We are working to set up a carpool from the T to the venue, but that isn't guaranteed yet - stay tuned for more info. More actions and demonstrations TBA.
Sign the Petition to Take Action Against FERC
/The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is calling on Senators Sanders and Warren to take action against FERC. Add your name to the petition!
Most details from the Bucks County Courier Times and Delaware Riverkeeper:
"If the Delaware Riverkeeper Network gets its way, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission might soon be feeling the Bern.
The Bristol-based nonprofit released a letter addressed to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday, calling on the Democratic presidential candidate to ask the Government Accountability Office to investigate FERC... ...The letter was also addressed to Elizabeth Warren, a senator from Massachusetts, who along with Sanders serves on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources...."
Join us in asking Senators Sanders and Warren to request an independent review by the Government Accountability Office into the funding, operations, and apparent mishandlings taking place at FERC:
- If you are a private individual, sign our petition at: bity/DRN-PetitionToReviewFERC
- If you represent an organization and want to join with others from around the nation in an organizational sign on letter email, sign on at: bitly/SignOnGAOReview
Upcoming Spectra Open Houses
/This chart lists all the upcoming Spectra Access Northeast Open Houses coming up. The Weymouth/Quincy/Braintree one is the last one: Wednesday, January 27 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Boston Marriott in Quincy.
We hope you can make it to one of them!
spectra open hosue
Upcoming January Events
/It's shaping up to be a busy January, so be sure to mark your calendar's!
Tuesday, January 12:
What: FRRACS Meeting
Time: 7pm-8:45pm
Location: Tufts Library
Tuesday, January 26:
What: Health Effects of Compressor Station Discussion w/ Dr. Curt Nordgaard
Time: 7pm
Location: Thomas Crane Public Library - Quincy Center
Wednesday, January 27
What: Access Northeast Open House
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Boston Marriot Quincy (1000 Marriott Dr.) - Quincy
You can watch a sneak peak of Dr. Nordgaard's talk here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbUi7y3BRxc&feature=youtu.be
FRRACS Meeting Jan. 12
/Hi Friends, This is a reminder that the next meeting of FRRACS will be next week:
Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm
Tufts Library - Weymouth
As always, there will be lots to discuss, including: Recent soil testing at the Fore River site; postcard campaign; money for advertising; permanent meeting location update; and more!
Happy 2016 - hope to see you next week!