FRRACS Meeting Tomorrow - August 9th
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As a reminder, tomorrow is the monthly meeting of FRRACS. There's been a lot going on the past few weeks and we want to share some updates with you. We hope that you can join us!
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Update: Potential delay on Atlantic Bridge!
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Today we received news that the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management has responded to Spectra's Atlantic Bridge project. They have stated that they "cannot complete its review and issue a decision until all applicable licenses, permits, applications and other authorizations have been issued."
Read MoreAction Alert: Calpine Enters Agreement with Spectra
/ACTION ALERT--ACTION ALERT
We received a communication from FERC yesterday (see below) that Calpine has "entered into an agreement" with Spectra for the North Parcel. This letter was dated July 15th. Please call the Mayor and your Town Councilor and ask:
1) Was the town made aware of this agreement? What is the agreement?
2) We are aware that the original contract with the town (MOA) states that Calpine must be given approval by the town for any disposition of this land. Did the town approve anything?
3) The agreement also seems to change the lot size--yet again. Did Calpine do the proper applications for subdividing the property? If so, were the permits approved by the town planner?
Calpine has not been a good neighbor. They have received huge tax breaks from the town as part of the original agreement. If they broke the contract, we should demand back tax payments AND deny future tax breaks.
Your councilor's numbers:
Patrick O’Connor 781-335-0113
Michael Smart 781-331-8844
Robert M. Conlon 781-331-1177
Kenneth DiFazio 781-337-0687
Jane Hackett 781-331-2187
Ed Harrington 781-337-8488
Rebecca Haugh 781-205-4644
Thomas J. Lacey 781-331-2685
Arthur Mathews 781-331-2872
Brian McDonald 781-331-2641
Michael Molisse 781-331-4339
The Mayor:
Robert Hedlund 781-340-5012 or email
(RHedlund@weymouth.ma.us)
The argument of eminent domain does not hold up for a multitude of reasons and should not be used by Calpine as an excuse for not upholding their end of the contract.
We know that it is late in the day, so calling or emailing tomorrow would be great.
Thanks for all that you do!
Obama Issues Environmental Guidance on FERC
/This is a good step, but we will need more than just "guidance" when it comes to reviewing the environmental impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure.
Read the whole article below or here.
from NPR.org:
"The Obama Administration instructed federal agencies to factor climate change impacts into required environmental reviews of large projects. The White House Council on Environmental Quality released its guidance this week, six years after the original draft proposal. The move clarifies reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under NEPA, projects such as interstate pipelines and LNG export terminals undergo environmental reviews known as environmental impact statements, before gaining federal approval.
“In many cases, Federal actions have the potential to contribute to climate change by producing greenhouse gas emissions or alternatively, be affected by many of the impacts of a changing climate, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather, drought and wildfires,” read a statement released by the White House.
The White House guidance on climate change is just that – guidance. It’s not a new law or regulation and does not require congressional approval. But environmentalists who oppose pipeline projects reviewed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, for example, say it’s a step in the right direction. Raul Garcia is an attorney with the environmental law firm Earthjustice.
“Everybody has a boss,” said Garcia. “This is basically [FERC's] boss telling them this is how to go about doing this kind of analysis. And if they don’t, we hope there would be further measures to make sure that they do.”
The guidance instructs agencies like FERC to calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that will result from a project, and stipulate how to mitigate the damage. It includes both direct and indirect impacts.
On its own, large amounts of carbon emissions won’t necessarily make federal agencies reject projects. But Garcia says it does make important information public.
“Then the public can hold elected officials accountable,” said Garcia.
Republicans oppose the move, saying it will postpone or eliminate important infrastructure projects.
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), which represents the natural gas pipeline industry, had asked the administration to withdraw the guidance. In comments made regarding the draft, INGAA argued the proposed guidance would not legally comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. It also said any one single project could not be linked to global climate change impacts.
“The nature of climate change is such that there is no causal connection—much less a reasonably foreseeable and proximate causal connection—between a single project’s GHG emissions and a climate change-related effect like sea-level rise.”
The industry association also commented that requiring a federal agency to examine the climate change impacts of a pipeline, contradicts the Obama Administration’s support for new infrastructure to transport natural gas to new markets."
Gas is NOT Clean or Renewable
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While we are focused on keeping a dangerous, toxic compressor out of Weymouth, let's ponder a bit on the bigger picture.
Our legislature may have put us one step forward on climate change, but they did not go nearly far enough. Bold action was required and they shrunk from it. Our friend Turner writes that on pages 19-26, they actually state that gas and the infrastructure that sustains it is "renewable and sustainable" and therefore worthy of special funding and loan guarantees. I.e., a pipeline tax.
Read MoreMake a Call Monday to #StopSpectra
/Don't forget to make a call every Monday!
Right now, Spectra Energy is building the AIM Pipeline, PUTTING PIPES IN THE GROUND, of a dangerous, high-pressure gas pipeline that would pose a danger to our communities and lock us into further dependence on fossil fuels.
Tell your senators - we need you to DEMAND that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issue a stop work order for the AIM pipeline, and we need YOU to take a public stand against the pipeline via a joint press conference in DC with your senate colleagues. Our lives are on the line!
Suggested script:
THANK YOU Senator Warren/Markey for writing to FERC and urging them to conduct an independent EIS on Atlantic Bridge and to answer questions regarding the conflict of interest between NRG (contractor that worked on the EA) and Spectra on June 9th, 2016.
As you know Spectra AIM, the first leg of this illegally segmented project that connects to Atlantic Bridge, is underway in NYS against the will of Governor Cuomo, multiple NY State agencies and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. We request that you respond to our letter hand-delivered to your office on June 13, 2016, with your Senator colleagues in NY, RI, CT who also have Spectra AIM Pipeline destruction progressing against legislators, local resolutions and strong community opposition, to hold a national press conference in Washington, DC, demanding FERC issue a “Stop Work Order” to the AIM pipeline. Our lives are on the line.
Update: Omnibus Energy Bill is Out
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Here is the text of the omnibus energy bill that was passed in both the House and the Senate tonight. Although we are mightily disappointed that the pipeline tax ban did not make the bill and that there is a decrease in wind power from 2000 MW to 1600 MW, there was progress on gas leaks, Pilgrim, and energy storage, to name a few items.
Read MoreMasslive Coverage of the Senators' Response to the Conflict of Interest
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This story seems to be getting some traction, which is good. Can't say it will fix everything, but these issues need to be brought to light and addressed.
Masslive covered it this week, read it here, or below.
Read MoreDesmogblog Follow Up on FERC Conflict of Interest
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Desmogblog has provided a recap of the series of letter exchanges between MA Senators and FERC Chairman Bay. Itai Vardi, of Desmogblog, originally uncovered the alleged conflict of interest last month and sparked the Senators initial outreach to FERC. Thank you, Itai.
You can read the article here or below.
Read MoreSenators Warren and Markey Respond to FERC's Letter
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Here is the most recent letter from Senators Warren and Markey in response to Chairman Bay's letter. This is the third letter in communication between the Senators and FERC. You can read the other letters below.
Read MoreBoston Globe Article on Compressor Fight
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The Boston Globe covered bits of our fight in their July 29 paper. Can't say it's the best article ever, but hey, at least their paying some attention. You can read the full article below.
Read MoreFinal Day to Comment to the DEP!
/Today is the final day to comment to Dan Gilmore at the MassDEP wetlands division on Spectra's appeal to override our Conservation Commission's denial of wetlands permit. Please send a comment to:
Daniel F. Gilmore
MassDEP / SERO
20 Riverside Drive
Lakeville, MA 02347
tel: (508) 946-2808
fax: (508) 947-6557
daniel.gilmore@state.ma.us
OR submit directly through our site: NoCompressor.com.
Remember to stay specific to wetlands issues, if possible. Support our ConCom!
Thank you for all that you do!
Action Alert: Make a Call to Stop the Pipeline Tax
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The Energy Omnibus bill will be finished by Friday and the vote is on Saturday, so calling Wednesday (TODAY) is critical. LEAVE A MESSAGE, IF IT'S AFTER HOURS.
So, if you can, one more time, make the calls to the conferees AND Speaker DeLeo:
Speaker Robert DeLeo, 617-722-2500
If you can only make one phone call, call Speaker DeLeo.
Study on Natural Gas Development and Asthma
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A recent study details the connection between fracking and asthma. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, covers an issue that many of us have been stressing for some time.
You can read it here: Association Between Unconventional Natural Gas Development in the Marcellus Shale and Asthma Exacerbations.
Read MoreComment on the PennEast EIS thru 9/5
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PennEast is a project that will actually connect to the Algonquin line (the Spectra line that is here in New England - they cut up all the segments across the country into different names).
So if you feel so inclined to make a quick comment on their EIS comment period within the next 45 days, the info to do so is at this attached group. PennEast will help supply the additional capacity and infrastructure which will help Access Northeast move forward.
Read MorePatriot Ledger: Residents Debate FERC's Response to Senators
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Chairman Bay of FERC recently responded to Senator Warren and Markey's letter inquiring about a possible conflict of interest with the group that conducted the EA for Atlantic Bridge. Unsurprisingly, Chairman Bay's response dismissed the conflict of interest. The Patriot Ledger covered the story.
You can read it here or below:
Read MoreAG's Comments on the Atlantic Bridge EA
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For those curious about what Attorney General Maura Healey had to say about the Atlantic Bridge Environmental Assessment, you can read her letter to FERC below. (CLICK the image to access the PDF letter.)
Read MoreFERC Chairman Responds to Sen. Markey's Letter
/Senators Markey and Warren recently wrote a letter to FERC urging them to issue an independent EIS for Atlantic Bridge, after it was found that there was a conflict of interest with the contractor that completed the Environmental Assessment.
Chairman Norman Bay has responded to Senator Markey. His response is below. Not surprisingly, he dismisses the Senator's concern.
Pipeline Inspectors Reveal Safety Violations and Lawbreaking
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In a follow-up to the accounts of two whistleblowers, originally revealed by The FANG Collective, Itai Vardi, of Desmogblog, looks into the story some more.
Read MoreRevealed: Another Conflict of Interest for Spectra
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Another day, another conflict of interest. Itai Vardi, of Desmogblog, has revealed that Spectra hired the contractor NRG for 5 separate projects. This brings into question NRG's ability to be impartial when reviewing the projects.
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