FRRACS' Statement on Presiding Officer's AQ Decision

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FRRACS' Statement on Presiding Officer's AQ Decision

Betrayed. It is the only word that would come to our minds today just after 3:00 PM when our attorney, Mike Hayden, sent us the decision of Presiding Officer Jane Rothchild on the Air Quality Plan approval. Ms. Rothchild sided with the Enbridge, the polluter, and with the Department of Environmental Protection, the pollution enabler, and gave the green light for Commissioner Martin Suuberg to grant a final Air Quality Permit for the Weymouth compressor station.

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For Immediate Release: DEP Presiding Officer Recommends that the DEP Issue a Final Approval for Enbridge’s Air Quality Plan

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For Immediate Release: DEP Presiding Officer Recommends that the DEP Issue a Final Approval for Enbridge’s Air Quality Plan

DEP Presiding Officer Recommends that the DEP Issue a Final Approval for Enbridge’s Air Quality Plan

Weymouth, Mass. (June 27, 2019) - Today, DEP Presiding Officer Jane Rothchild turned her back on the people of the Commonwealth by recommending that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issue a final permit for Enbridge’s air quality plan. By issuing a recommendation of approval, Rothchild makes clear that the DEP does not care about public health, the environment, or the agencies charge to protect both.

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DEP Presiding Officer issues approval for air quality plan

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DEP Presiding Officer issues approval for air quality plan

The DEP presiding officer issued her decision today on Enbridge's air quality plan approval: she recommends that the Department’s Commissioner issue a Final Decision affirming the air permit.

Don't despair, Fore River Campers. The fight is NOT over. Enbridge still needs other permits, as well as approval from CZM. We will have more info on all of this soon, as well as action steps. Please stay tuned. The fight continues.

You can read more here: The Patriot Ledger - State adjudicator OKs air permit for compressor station

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Painting in the Park

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Painting in the Park

We had such a beautiful day in the park--doing art! We had artists lining the entire stretch of the park. It was really wonderful to observe all of the talented individuals creating art. We had watercolor painters, a sketch artist, oil painters, and so much more. Yvonne Lamothe created a beautiful mural depicting the beauty of our environment and how it will be impacted by further pollution. Adults and children added their own pieces of art to the mural. It was a great day of community collaboration.

Our event made the Weymouth News, too. Check out the article here: Activists use art to draw attention to Weymouth compressor controversy

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Former Energy Secretary engaged in compressor review while negotiating job with TRC

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Former Energy Secretary engaged in compressor review while negotiating job with TRC

Well, well, well--verified unethical behavior from former Sec. Matt Beaton. So funny how he unilaterally decided that Weymouth did not deserve a MEPA review when asked by the mayor. Guess he had to prove to his new masters that he could be relied upon. Many, many thanks to Itai Vardi for his excellent journalism.

Read it and weep, Campers.

Desmog - Massachusetts Energy Secretary Engaged in Enbridge Facility Review While Negotiating Job With Project’s Consultant (link)

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RI denies permit for Invenergy power plant!→

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RI denies permit for Invenergy power plant!

Amazing news for our friends in Rhode Island! The state Energy Facilities Siting Board denied a permit for a $1B fracked gas and diesel oil burning power plant, proposed by Invenergy. This is a win for the community of Burrillville, RI. This win would not have happened without the incredible organizing power of The FANG Collective and Burrillville BASE. Much love to them! Organizing works.

You can read more about this story here.

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WBUR - Confused About The Weymouth Compressor? Here's What You Need To Know

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WBUR - Confused About The Weymouth Compressor? Here's What You Need To Know

WBUR recapped the compressor fight. There are some inacuaracies in this piece, but overall, it’s a good summary. Thanks to reported Miriam Wasser for writing about this issue.

WBUR - Confused About The Weymouth Compressor? Here's What You Need To Know

Excerpt: “For the last few years, a coalition of South Shore towns and local activists have worked to block the construction of a natural gas compressor station in North Weymouth. The project involves multiple permits and court cases at the state and federal level, making it hard for even the most avid news consumer to follow.

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Community members attend environmental award ceremony for Baker

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Community members attend environmental award ceremony for Baker

The Environmental Business Council (EBC) gave Governor Baker an award for his “climate leadership”. Ironic, we know. Governor Baker likes to portray himself as a climate champion but he’s really a champion for the fracked-gas industry. Baker refuses to stop the expansion of dangerous, toxic facilities like the compressor station. The compressor station and the fracked gas that would run through it, will only further exacerbate the state of the climate.

State House News Service covered the protest - Protesters demonstrate as Baker receives environmental award (link)

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PHMSA Compressor Station Safety Meeting Recap

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Officials from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) came to Weymouth to hold a public listening session to examine the serious public safety issues relating to the construction and operation of the proposed Weymouth compressor station. The meeting was organized and facilitated by Congressman Lynch. We thank Congressman Lynch for organizing this important meeting.

FRRACS held a standout before the meeting started. We were joined by community members, the Grim Reaper, Congressman Lynch, and a cardboard cutout of Charlie Baker (aka Governor Gas). If Baker doesn’t want to show up to support his constituents, his cardboard cutout will.

Public Testimony

Nearly 250 people filled the auditorium of Abigail Adams Middle School for the meeting. It was a great turnout. Many of our local elected officials were in attendance and provided their testimony at the beginning of the meeting. You can watch the meeting in full here (many thanks to WETC for filming).

News Reports

Boston 25 News - Weymouth residents fight proposed compressor station near Fore River bridge (video)

95.9 WATD - Weymouth: Hundreds Attend Federal Committee Meeting on Gas Compressor Station Proposal (audio)

Weymouth News - Compressor foes state their case at hearing

WGBH - Federal Pipeline Regulators Hear Safety Concerns About Weymouth Compressor From Officials and Residents
















Rep. Lynch urges DEP Presiding Officer to revoke the air plan approval

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Rep. Lynch urges DEP Presiding Officer to revoke the air plan approval

Representative Lynch is urging the DEP Presiding Officer in our air quality appeal to deny the air quality plan approval, citing concerns related to the faulty review and testing process that the DEP conducted. We thank Rep. Lynch for using his voice and platform to make this request of the Presiding Officer.

The Patriot Ledger - Rep. Lynch urges state to hit reset on compressor project

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Pressure continues to grow on the State to revoke air plan approval (Desmog)

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Pressure continues to grow on the State to revoke air plan approval (Desmog)

The continuation of the air quality appeal shed further light on DEP’s lack of concern for environmental health. DEP officials stated many times that they did not know that there are different types of tests that can be used when analyzing air samples. And they admitted multiple times that it was Itai Vardi’s investigative reporting that prompted them to contact Alpha Analytical to determine if they had any further test results from the July sampling. It’s unclear why the DEP did not think to do that on their own, but we are grateful that Itai’s reporting has helped to push the DEP to do their job.

Congratulations and many thanks to Itai for his continued excellent reporting!

Desmog - Following Carcinogen Data Fiasco, Pressure Grows on Massachusetts to Revoke Enbridge Facility Permit

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Take Action: Sign petition to say "No" to LNG in Charlton

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Take Action: Sign petition to say "No" to LNG in Charlton

We say, often, that it isn't just about us. It's not just about the Basin. It's about the state, it's about the country, it's about the world. The similarities we share with Charlton are stunning. No MEPA review because the company "changed" the lot to make it so one would not be required. No consideration of safety. No review of the existing conditions. Our fight is their fight. Please sign the petition.

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For Immediate Release: FRRACS claims Baker's DEP further "bungles" data analysis and children's health

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For Immediate Release: FRRACS claims Baker's DEP further "bungles" data analysis and children's health

For Immediate Release: FRRACS claims Baker's DEP further “bungles” data analysis and children's health

Contact: Alice Arena, nocompressor@gmail.com

FRRACS will be holding a press conference today at 12:30pm at MassDEP in Boston (1 Winter Street)

In July of 2017, Governor Baker called for a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in the Fore River Basin to give the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) necessary information before the approval of the Air Quality Plan submitted by Algonquin (Spectra-Enbridge). A full eleven months later, the Baker Administration underfunded the HIA and gave the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the DEP, and the Department of Public Health (DPH) only six months to complete a report that should have taken eighteen to twenty four months. Additionally, the DEP undertook air quality testing of a scientifically insignificant time frame in order to check for the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants in the atmosphere of the Basin to solidify the findings of the HIA.

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Telling the Stories - Presentation and Questionnaire

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Telling the Stories - Presentation and Questionnaire

We wrapped up our last community meeting last night for our Telling the Stories health project. If you couldn't attend one of our meetings, you can take a look at our presentation here: https://www.nocompressor.com/

If you've experienced illnesses that could potentially be linked to environmental toxins in the Fore River Basin and would like to be part of our documentary, fill out this questionnaire:https://form.jotform.com/91247290384157 All responses will remain anonymous (unless you indicate interest in being filmed). Please spread the word! Thank you!

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