The State Senate is poised to vote on the energy omnibus bill, S2372, on Thursday. The bill has some strong provisions, but we can go further by banning the pipeline tax, restoring gas leaks reforms, and supporting solar power.
CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR BEFORE THURSDAY'S VOTE! Script is below.
Read MoreALERT - ACTION ITEM: Last week, members of FRRACS delivered a letter, signed by 121 organizations, to Senators Warren and Markey in conjunction with groups in RI, CT, and NY.
Now we are asking folks to CALL, TWEET, and send FACEBOOK messages to your Senators to demand that "Our Federal Senators demand that FERC issue a stay that stops all work on the Spectra AIM Pipeline as a united voice AND agree to hold a joint press conference in D.C. on July 5."
Click here for a call script and sample tweets/facebook posts.
Read MoreThis probably doesn't come as a surprise, but Spectra's pipelines aren't safe and they are paying for their violations. Spectra will try to tell us that they have a good safety record but their fines (and explosions) prove otherwise.
You can read the article here.
Read MoreOn Monday, June 20, community members from MA, NY, CT, and RI delivered a letter to state senators urging them to take action against Spectra and FERC. Three FRRACS members delivered the letter to staffers for Senators Markey and Warren. Read the press release below for more details and photos.
Read MoreAt this point you've probably contacted FERC, MassDEP, ConCom, Senators, and local reps, so who can you contact next? One of our members, Mike, highly recommends contacting the following three agencies. There's no comment period or upcoming meetings with these agencies, but they have a connection to the project in some fashion, so hearing from you could be really helpful.
Read MoreWe had a great meeting this week! For those who couldn't make it, read below for a recap of what was discussed.
Last month was a very busy month, with public meetings, rallies, and more comment periods than we could keep track of. So it may feel like things have slowed down a bit, but it's important to keep up the pressure. There are a handful of events planned for the summer and more to be announced.
Upcoming Actions and Events
Saturday, June 18: We will have a table at Weyfest from 11am-2pm at Southfield (Weymouth). Stop by the table to pick up a sign or stickers.
Sunday, June 19: Father's Day Action - Leafleting in Winthrop and Swampscott (10am-2pm), Rally in Swapscott (2-4pm), and a screening (7-9pm) of "How to Let go of the World and Love all of the Things that Climate Can't Change" w/Director Josh Fox. More info here.
Monday, June 20: Crane Library Presentation w/ QCAN to discuss gas pipeline alternatives (7-9pm). More info here.
Thursday, July 14 - Monday, July 18: People Over Pipelines March - Residents across Mass will march along Spectra's proposed pipeline route to show Gov. Baker and state leaders that if they don't act on pipelines, the people will. For more details, visit the facebook page:
Ongoing: Collecting postcards for Gov. Baker - we've had an ongoing campaign to collect postcards urging Gov. Baker to take action on stopping pipelines, compressors, and the pipeline tax. If you would like to help us gather some more signatures on the postcards, send us an email at nocompressor@gmail.com and we will get you some postcards. They will be recollected and hand delivered, not mailed.
Updates from May meetings and other happenings:
DEP: The comment period has ended and we are awaiting their response. Stay tuned for details. Thanks to all who submitted comments and attended hearings.
EFSB: Great turnout at the hearing (thank you to all who came!). The EFSB submitted a strong and detailed response to FERC last year in regards to Atlantic Bridge, advising them not to approve the project. This time around the meetings with the EFSB were for Access Northeast and we are now waiting to see what they submitted to FERC. The EFSB has no control over the decision, but they can submit their comments and opinions.
ConCom: The Conservation Commission denied Spectra's permit request! Thanks to all who submitted comments. This doesn't stop the project, but could create some delay.
FERC: Residents submitted detailed, informative and powerful statements to FERC staff at the May hearing. Though the technical comment period ended last month, it appears FERC is still accepting comments. So please continue to submit, if you can.
SJC Decision on Pipeline Tax: Their decision regarding Gov. Baker's Pipeline Tax is expected to be announced in July or August - stay tuned.
Warren/Markey Letter to FERC: The Senators recently sent a letter to FERC regarding the conflict of interest between NRG (the company that completed the EA on Atlantic Bridge) and Spectra. Itai Vardi of Desmogblog.com recently revealed this alarming (but not surprising) conflict of interest. The Senators urged FERC to issue an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for Atlantic Bridge to be completed by an independent, third-party company.
DeSmogBlog Articles - Itai Vardi, professor at BU and freelance journalist, has uncovered details regarding Spectra and FERC's dirty ways. Read his articles here and here.
Fundraising - if you have ideas for fundraisers, let us know! It's possible that we will have some heavy costs in the future (i.e. a lawyer or legal counsel).
Our next meeting is: Tuesday, July 12 at the Fore River Club in Quincy - 7pm (6:30pm for meet & greet). Hope to see you there!
Join us tonight to get an update about where we're at and what comes next. Invite your friends and neighbors, too! There will be some yard signs available.
Fore River Clubhouse - 16 Nevada Rd.
7PM (join us at 6:30PM for a Meet & Greet)
Read MoreWe greatly appreciate their support in this fight; please send your thanks to them. Let's make sure FERC follows up with their requests, too. Demand that FERC issues an INDEPENDENT EIS for Atlantic Bridge.
You can read the letter below or here.
Join us for the monthly meeting of FRRACS:
Tuesday, June 14 at the Fore River Clubhouse (16 Nevada, Rd.)
Meet and greet at 6:30pm; regular meeting at 7:00pm
Read MoreMore news today in the realm of politics. An energy bill that includes an amendment that would speed up the repair of gas leaks throughout the state, passed in the House today.
Read MoreGood news! A bill that would ban fracking in Massachusetts passed the Senate today. Senator O'Connor attached an amendment to the bill that would ban compressor stations within 6/10 of a mile of population centers (school, churches, etc.) Now this will have to pass in the House and they will need a veto proof majority as Gov. Baker is not our friend on any of this.
Please take action to let your representative know that you support this Senate bill.
Read MoreAt a house session meeting, Rep. James Murphy spoke out against the compressor station and in favor of renewable energy. We greatly appreciate his support in this fight.
Read MoreAnother day, another toxic cover-up. A whistleblower has revealed that the EPA covered up toxic fracking emissions data for years. Why? The watchdog group says that an EPA researcher may have accepted money from the oil and gas industry in exchange for the cover-up of data.
Read MoreA long awaited report from the Maine PUC (Public Utilities Commission) reveals that consumers wouldn't benefit from increased natural gas capacity. There is currently a plan to spend up to $75 million a year to expand natural gas capacity.
Read MoreLess than two months ago, an explosion of a pipeline in Salem Township, PA exploded one man's home and sent him to the hospital with critical injuries. Spectra Energy has not spoken out much on this terrible occurrence, but the mother of the individual seriously impacted has spoken out. You can listen to her story here.
Read More350 Mass created a fun, short video explaining Gov. Baker's pipeline tax and why we must oppose it. Watch below and share with your friends!
Last fall, the AG released a long-awaited study about the need for more natural gas. The results? We simply don't need anymore gas. So, why is Governor Baker pushing for more natural gas in his energy plan? His plans will thwart any progress on emission reduction and will make it nearly impossible for the state to reach it's own emission reduction mandates by 2020. The SJC court just approved a decision that would require the state to reduce emissions 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. We need to be pushing for more renewables, like solar and wind, not toxic and dangerous fossil fuels.
Read the complete story in the Patriot Ledger.
Read MoreFERC, as you likely know, is a rogue agency. They are funded by the agencies that they oversee, which creates a serious conflict of interest. So we need to fix FERC. Senator Elizabeth Warren is co-sponsoring a bill that would give the public more say over projects, like gas pipelines. Though this is a good initiative, it's not likely that this bill pass in time to be of much help for the fight against the compressor station and pipeline.
Read MoreThe Town of Weymouth has sent a Request for Advisory Opinion to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for a MEPA (Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act) review. Sec. Beaton of MEPA has approved the Town's request and has opened a commenting period. Comments can submitted through June 28.
Read MoreMARK YOUR CALENDARS - SPECIAL EVENT AT THOMAS CRANE LIBRARY, 6/20!
Pipelines are a common way to transport fuel long distances. They carry highly pressurized gas and oil hundreds of miles and many people are concerned about their impact on the communities they cut across. What is the problem? Come hear two local experts discuss the local importance of this issue from two different directions. Dr. Phillips's research starts with leaking small pipes and their links to the large infrastructure. Dr. Soleau will bring a higher-level perspective and discuss the big energy future issues facing Massachusetts, especially the pipeline and compressor station projects affecting 55 cities and towns, including greater Boston. There will also be some discussion about alternatives to these gas projects.
Nathan Phillips is an ecologist & Professor in the Boston University Department of Earth & Environment. He led the first study of its kind to map over 3,000 gas leaks in Boston. Dr. Phillips holds a PhD from Duke University and a BS in Physics from California State University, Sacramento. Tyler Soleau is the Outreach Director at Acadia Center, raising awareness, building networks, and advancing clean energy programs throughout the Northeast. Previously, he worked as the Staff Director and Counsel for the Massachusetts House Committee on Climate Change. Tyler holds a JD from Vermont Law School and a BA in Government and Environmental Studies from Hamilton College.
This program is co-sponsored by the Quincy Climate Action Network (QCAN) and Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS).
Date:
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Time:
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Contact:
Thomas Crane Library 617-376-1316
Location:
Main Library Community Meeting Room (ground floor)
Local opposition to the proposed Natural Gas Compressor Station abutting a dense residential community
Every contribution helps us bring attention to this dangerous Compressor Station.
www.NoCompressor.com is maintained by Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station.
Email: nocompressor@gmail.com
