Our concern about existing health conditions in the Basin has led us to pursue a new project: Telling the Stories. This project is aimed at documenting the health issues that people are living with in the Fore River Basin. In order to spread the word about this project, we will be holding two canvassing events in April. We hope that you can help distribute flyers for an hour or two!

We can’t say were surprised when we learn about all of the conflicts that exist, but it’s still unsettling. After the devastating gas explosion in Merrimack Valley last September, Gov. Baker ordered an “independent” review of the state’s gas system. Turns out the review hasn’t been all that independent. The state contracted Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems Inc. to complete the review. Investigative reporter Itai Vardi found that some of the reviewers that the firm hired are former National Grid employees. One of the subcontractors works for the American Gas Association. You can read more about this story here.

Gov. Baker recently testified before Congress on the issue of climate change. On the national scale, it was a big deal to have a republican Governor urge more action be taken on the issue, but on the state level, we weren’t quite as starry-eyed. Governor Baker staunchly supports the build-out of fracked-gas infrastructure, one of the main contributors to climate change. We find it comical that he is asking Congress to act on climate change, but at home, he is doing the very opposite. WGBH covered this issue and asks Massachusetts residents what rating they’d give the Governor. You can read - and listen - to their story here - On Climate, Does Gov. Baker Deserve An 'A' — Or An 'Incomplete'?

Wow. You all are amazing. It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to gather last night and celebrate all that we have accomplished as a community. When Spectra came to town in 2015, they thought they'd sneak their project in without any resistance. They were wrong. Because of you, we've been able to delay Spectra's plans significantly. The fight isn't over but we wanted to take the time to thank the community for their tireless efforts in this battle.

We’ve always known that Atlantic Bridge is a project being built for natural gas export. Enbridge and co. like to segment their projects but we know that they are all connected. We also know that the gas is not needed and that the construction of related facilities will have a direct impact on the communities it passes through. Watch this video to listen to Mi’kmaq elders talk about their fight against Alton Gas.

On Saturday afternoon, it was reported that the Fore River Bridge got stuck, causing major traffic. We wonder what would have happened should there have been some kind of an emergency in the area? How would any kind of evacuation have happened? Do you think we should consider NOT putting something explosive beside this bridge? The Patriot Ledger - Fore River Bridge malfunctioning, drivers should take other routes

Officials from MassDEP visited the proposed compressor station site today to audit the area in relation the PIP (Public Involvement Plan). Local residents were present during the audit. You can read more about the audit in The Patriot Ledger.

Good morning, Fore River Campers! We are here at the ELM panel forum on off shore wind. Gov. Baker was the keynote speaker and we wanted to try to allow you to see what he had to say. Sorry for the shaky video-- and the short picture of Alice and our friend Tim!-- but enjoy the audio. 

After receiving pressure from the public and local elected officials, including Mayors Hedlund, Koch, and Sullivan, MassDEP has agreed to complete a review of contamination at the proposed compressor station site. The site is home to coal ash, and could require a higher threshold of remediation if it is found to not be classified as “historic fill”. TRC, a consultant for Enbridge, completed a review that stated that the coal ash is historic fill, but others disagree with their finding. You can read more about this development from The Patriot Ledger.

Mayors Hedlund (Weymouth), Koch (Quincy), and Sullivan (Braintree) wrote a letter to Gov. Baker to follow up on a meeting that they had with him a few weeks ago. In addition to asking for the public safety and climate resiliency reviews that Gov. Baker promised, the Mayors followed up on his agreement to direct DEP to audit Enbridge's Permanent Solution Statement, which relates to the existence of coal ash at the site. 

We want to thank the Mayors for advocating on behalf of South Shore communities, and for continuing to hold Gov. Baker accountable.

A fracked-gas pipeline exploded in a town in northeastern Missouri. Luckily no injuries were reported, but we are yet again reminded of the dangers of fracked-gas infrastructure. “Natural” gas is not safe, clean, or reliable. Watch the videos for yourself: WSLS News 10 - Natural Gas pipeline explosion in Missouri

MassDEP is tasked with the responsibility of protecting our land, air, and water by working with state, local, and resident partners. Unfortunately, MassDEP seems to have taken a major detour from their important mission. Send an email to the Commissioner of MassDEP to express your concerns. You can access sample talking points here.

Email the Commissioner here: Martin.Suuberg@mass.gov

Tell MAPC to cut their ties with Enbridge and to quit playing with the health of the Fore River community!
Although we are glad that MAPC has spoken out against the compressor station proposal in general, we are very concerned about their lack of transparency throughout the HIA process. As revealed in an article in Desmogblog, MAPC worked directly with Enbridge and accepted documents from them that were produced by Enbridge's own consultants. The source of this document was not made clear in the HIA report. This is very concerning.

We knew from the beginning that this HIA would be an abomination. But here is proof positive that just as with the permits, all of this is either being overseen by Enbridge or being written by Enbridge. And that includes the permits. Thank you to Itai Vardi for uncovering this story. You can read the full article here.

U.S. District Judge Denise Casper has ruled in favor of Enbridge in relation to an appeal from the Town of Weymouth. In 2016, the Weymouth Conservation Commission denied Spectra-Enbridge’s application for a wetlands permit. Spectra-Enbridge appealed the decision, and since then, the appeal has bounced around the courts. This most recent decision is very disappointing. It’s not good news but we are in no way done. You can read the full decision below from Law360.

MAPC, the agency that conducted a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) for the compressor station, has released a statement about the HIA process and the compressor station. We applaud MAPC for speaking out against the compressor station proposal but we are disappointed in their final conclusion that the compressor station would not have any significant health impact on the surrounding community. MAPC ignored data that showed high levels of benzene and formaldehyde in the Basin, so we find it perplexing how they could come to the conclusion that the compressor wouldn’t have any significant impact. You can read MAPC’s full statement here: http://foreriverhia.com/

What a busy week it has been! After two long days, our DEP hearing on the waterways license has concluded. Our next appeal will be on the air quality permit. These appeals are an important part of the process but they are also expensive. Can you donate to our legal fund to help us sustain the fight? We could not have made it this far without you. Thank you! You can donate here.

Student reporter Will Sutton wrote a great piece about the compressor station fight for The Harborlight. Will hits on the many dimensions to this fight and where we stand now. Many thanks to Will for choosing to write about this topic! You can read his piece here.

Folks from FRRACS attended a two-day hearing at MassDEP this week for our appeal of the Ch. 91 Waterways License. Two of our members, Frank Singleton and Rebecca Haugh, were on the appeal as witnesses. It was a draining two days but incredible to see our amazing lawyer(s) the Haydens and associate Ethan fighting on behalf of the Fore River community.