FRRACS sent a letter to the state ethics commission in regards to Matthew Beaton’s departure from the EEA to the consulting firm TRC. We find Beaton’s transition from the EEA to TRC to be very suspicious.

Ed Baker covered this story for The Weymouth News.

We need your help. MassDEP withheld data that showed elevated levels of carcinogens and other toxic chemicals in the Basin. Call or Email the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General to file a complaint.

More details on this matter and sample talking points have been provided below by Nathan Phillips.

Contact:  Alice Arena, nocompressor@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

The Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station have filed a request with the State Ethics Commission Executive Director David Wilson to investigate the recent departure of Secretary of Energy and Environment Matthew Beaton to TRC Environmental.

Funny thing--when FRRACS sent out our canisters to EPA approved labs, the results of the testing were sent to us within two weeks. As Itai reports, the DEP had the results of their testing available to them within two weeks at the Rhode Island State labs had they only picked up the phone in August. They clearly did not want to know what they were going to find out about our air quality. They clearly do not care about our health.

Thank you, Cambridge City Council, for passing a policy statement on May 6, expressing strong opposition to the proposed compressor station, and communicating that position to state legislators and Gov. Baker. Thank you, Mothers Out Front for the pre-Council visibility, and for testifying in favor of the policy, along with FRRACS Board member Rev. Betsy Sowers from Old Cambridge Baptist Church.

Reverend Betsy Sowers talks about the potential health impacts of the proposed compressor station, and the impact that it could have on existing environmental justice communities. You can watch the video here. Many, many thanks to filmmaker Bob Gifford and our own Rev. Betsy Sowers.

Representative Meschino filed a bill in January that would reset state emissions to zero by 2050. We’re grateful for Rep. Meschino’s leadership on this effort. You can read more about the proposed bill here: Conservation Law Foundation - New Law Would Create Roadmap to Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050

Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility interviewed FRRACS Board member, Frank Singleton, about the safety risks that the compressor station would pose. You can watch his interview here. Many thanks to GBPSR and Bob Gifford for making this video.

Sec. Beaton's departure to TRC does not pass the smell test. Jessica Trufant covers this story in The Patriot Ledger. Thank you for your continued and excellent reporting, Jessica! You can read the full article here: The Patriot Ledger - Top regulator to work for firm with ties to compressor proposal

Gov. Baker is trying to pull a fast one by saying the burning of wood and trash is clean energy to be placed in the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). We know you're shocked. Sign this petition to put a stop to this.

To learn more about this issue, visit the Partnership for Policy Integrity (PFPI) website. There will be 3 MassDOER hearings on this issue. We encourage you to attend! Find out more here.

It was announced today that Environment Secretary Matthew Beaton will be leaving his role as Environment Secretary to join the consulting firm TRC as a senior vice president. Yes, this is the same firm that has worked for Enbridge on the compressor station project. Beaton will be replaced by Kathleen Theoharides, a former conservation consultant.

You can read more about this new development here: Desmog - After Approving Enbridge Permit, Massachusetts’ Environment Secretary Lands Job with Project’s Contractor

FRRACS was presented with an award for outstanding activism at the Local Environmental Action conference this past weekend. We feel lucky to have such a great team working on this effort! The fight against the compressor station takes all of us.

Stranded assets are now a reality, not just speculation any more. Let's hope ISO New England is paying attention.

A gas plant in Indiana has been rejected by regulators due to concerns related to stranded assets. You can read more here: Utility Dive - Indiana regulators reject Vectren gas plant over stranded asset concerns

It seems that our friends at the Department of Enabling Polluters (DEP) hid some evidence from us when they did their limited time canister testing in the Basin. You can go here to see the full report.

Our first community meeting was a great success! Many thanks to everyone who joined us at the Whipple Senior Center in North Weymouth to learn about this project and to share their stories. We will be holding three more meetings; join us! Every meeting is the same, so you only need to attend one.

May 7 from 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Thayer Public Library in Braintree

May 22 from 6:30 - 8:30PM at the Germantown Community Center in Quincy

June 6 from 7:00 - 9:00PM at the Fore River Clubhouse in Quincy

Well, well, well--you don't say. Air quality is Massachusetts has worsened?!

Between the massive traffic being exacerbated by the mess that is the T and the commuter rail and the rush to add as much polluting gas infrastructure as possible, we don't think Gov. Baker is doing us any favors. The "Environmental Governor?" We think not.

You can read the full piece from The Boston Globe.

Governor Baker made an appearance at a tree planting ceremony in Quincy today. We are grateful to the DCR for planting trees to stem the tide of climate change and to beautify our Commonwealth. But remember, One Compressor = 22,000 Cars. So, Gov. Baker--cognitive dissonance, much? #onedamntree

FRRACS showed up peacefully and recorded the ceremony. You can watch the 12-minute video here.

The Boston Globe asked readers to submit letters to the editor in advance of Earth Day, detailing what has inspired to take action on environmental issues. A local resident’s letter about the compressor station was featured in the post. Many thanks to Valerie!

An exclusive report from Desmog found that MassDEP submitted air samples to a lab in RI but did not include the results in the HIA, despite data showing the presence of several VOCs. We find this information very concerning and demand to know why this information was not included.

You can read the full piece from Itai Vardi at Desmog - Exclusive: Air Permit OK’d After New Evidence of Carcinogens at Enbridge’s Planned Gas Facility in Massachusetts Left out

Some good news for a change, Fore River Campers! Mass DEP has decided to use their own regulations. Coal ash is not, nor has EVER been, historic fill. Funny how a Licensed Site Professional who is taking money from Enbridge to forward the compressor AND taking money from Enbridge to claim there is no problem with the contamination at the site would come up with an Access and Use Limitation report that would ignore the coal ash. Are you laughing yet? You can read more about this update via The Patriot Ledger - State orders more sampling at proposed compressor site