Breaking news: Sec. Beaton has rejected Mayor Hedlund's request for a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative effects of all gas pipelines and infrastructure in the Commonwealth.
Read MoreA Spectra exec, Bill Yardley, published a letter in today's Boston Globe. The letter is part of Spectra's PR campaign to sell Access Northeast (ANE). The article claims that ANE will lower energy costs, which we know not to be true.
If you subscribe to the Globe, please leave a comment on the article. If not, you can write a letter to the editor.
Read MoreSpectra reps and Dan Gilmore of the MassDEP paid a visit to the compressor site today. Mr. Gilmore was there to run a site visit in response to Spectra's appeal of the ConCom's permit denial. Dozens of concerned individuals showed up to silently and peacefully show Spectra and the MassDEP that we support our ConCom's decision. We had a great turnout and there's no doubt that Spectra received our message. A big thank you to all who joined us to Resist the West Roxbury Pipeline for coming out to lend their support!
Thanks to our presence, Spectra and Mr. Gilmore had to present their site visit to the public and take questions from concerned residents.
Mr. Gilmore is accepting comments for the site review through July 29. You can submit comments by adding your name to this form or by emailing him yourself at daniel.gilmore@state.ma.us.
CLICK on the image to scroll through.
In June, Spectra published responses to a handful of comments that were submitted, regarding the Atlantic Bridge EA. Dr. Nordgaard poignantly points out some of Spectra's mis-statements.
Read MoreIn May we announced that the Weymouth ConCom denied Spectra their wetlands permit for Atlantic Bridge. Though a small victory, it was exciting nonetheless. We knew that there was a chance that Spectra would appeal the denial and as of June 29, 2016, that appeal is official.
We will keep fighting.
You can read the 88 page document here.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, July 12th, the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station will present an evening with Terra Friedrichs, socially-conscious Business Consultant, Legislative Activist, Organizer and Citizen who will speak about using municipal rights to fight for the communities that we deserve.
Read MoreThe Senate voted 39 to 0 on the "Ban the Pipeline Tax" amendment and the desire for natural gas is fading.
From Commonwealth:
Read MoreIn a State Senate vote today, they voted unanimously against the infamous pipeline tax - 39 to 0, to be exact. This is a big step and should be celebrated. It is awaiting a final decision in a conference committee.
A big thank you to everyone who organized around this, who has sent emails, made phone calls, or held signs at events. And to all the senators who voted against the pipeline tax.
Though the fight isn't over yet, we are one step closer.
Read MoreQCAN, FRRACS, and the Thomas Crane Public Library hosted an event about pipelines, gas leaks, and the need for renewable energy. The event featured presentations from Nathan Philips, BU Professor (who led a study on gas leaks); Tyler Soleau, Director of Acadia Center; and Alice Arena of FRRACS.
Senator Keenan attended the event and said that his decision to cosponsor two of the amendments to the omnibus energy bill (i.e. the No Pipeline Tax amendment) was the direct result of what he learned that night!
ALERT--ALERT--ALERT
We got a call from FRRACS friend Carol, who said that she received a phone call from a polling company that wanted to ask questions about natural gas, pipelines, etc. She said they proceeded to ask about 45 questions--some of them repeated, but in different manner--about gas, pipelines, tariffs, politicians, etc.
The company did not identify themselves. But from the sound of some of the questions, it is highly likely that this was from the natural gas industry, if not from Spectra themselves.
FRRACS would appreciated being contacted by anyone who receives this call and bothers to answer all or some of the questions. Shoot us an email at nocompressor@gmail.com.
Thanks for all that you do!
As community activists urge for reform of FERC, the federal agency that oversees pipeline projects, others are joining the call, too.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman said she will announce a bill that seeks to reform FERC's approval process.
Read MoreThe 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.
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
