From our friend Prof. Nathan Phillips. Always be armed with information, Campers!

BU Today - POV: Rollback of Federal Rules to Limit Methane Emissions Poses Serious Threat (link)

MAPC, the agency that conducted the health impact assessment, has hired an outside agency to review the conclusions of their assessment. MAPC’s HIA was faulty and incomplete but came to the conclusion that the compressor station would not have a significant health impact on the community. Their conclusions enabled the approval of Enbridge’s air quality plan approval.

Now that the ink is dry on permits that their study helped allow, MAPC is thinking maybe there was a problem. We find the timing a bit frustrating.

The Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) will proceed into Superior court over the issuance yesterday of the Wetlands and Ch. 91 Waterways permits to Enbridge/Algonquin. FRRACS contends that the permits were given in direct violation of the Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations protecting wetlands and waterways in the Commonwealth.

Many, many thanks--again--to Sen. O'Connor's office and to the Representatives who consistently have fought by our side to prevent this monster from being built in the Basin. The DEP adbicated their authority and their responsibility to the citizens of our area. Our legislators are demanding corrective action!

Yesterday, Hearing Officer Jane Rothchild once again sided with the polluter over the people. She issued a thumbs up decision to Enbridge on both the Wetlands and the Waterways appeals. These decisions will go to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg for his final decision on the permits that Enbridge seeks.

There will be NO retreat from any of the fighters on the ground. There are multiple actions being planned and much for us to do together. We will need your help more than ever as we move forward to end this dangerous and unnecessary compressor station project. Click below for a list of ways that you can help.

We received notice that Jane Rothchild, the presiding officer in our wetlands and waterways permit hearings, has issued recommendations to approve both permits. The decisions were released within an hour of each other, even though the hearings occurred months apart. Though this doesn’t come as a surprise, it is very disappointing. Ms. Rothchild’s recommendations are now in the hands of DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg.

Call Commisisoner Suuberg and tell him to DENY THE PERMITS. He has the ability to shut down this dangerous proposal.

Call Commissioner Suuberg and tell him to DENY THE PERMITS. He has the ability to shut down this dangerous proposal. Urge him to do the right thing. Leave a voicemail, email him, then call again.

To reach Commissioner Suuberg, dial 617-292-5500, press “8” for the name directory, then dial "7882" for the first four letters of his last name. This should bring you directly to his voicemail.

Email: Martin.suuberg@state.ma.us

TRC held a meeting last week to present their draft RAM plan, which is related to clean up plans of soil contamination at the site. Their presentation was focused more heavily on their construction plans, glossing over the serious contamination issues. They claimed that the project will have “no significant risk to the environment, public health, public welfare, or safety”. The crowd did not hold back when this statement was made.

You can read more about the meeting in Braintree Wicked Local - Weymouth compressor foes sift through soil removal plan

We had an incredible turnout at last night’s meeting. Attendees came from the South Shore and beyond. The energy in the room was really amazing. The attendees took control of the meeting and demanded answers on the spot from TRC. After each speaker left the mic, the crowd chanted, “Don’t Kill Our Children!”. Many of the attendees held signs that read “Don’t Kill Our Children” and “Your Plan Was Unacceptable”.

You can read a recap here: The Patriot Ledger - Residents say cleanup plan for compressor site isn’t adequate

WETC filmed the entire meeting, you can watch it here.

TRC, Enbridge’s consultant, is accepting public comments on their draft RAM (Release Abatement Measure) Plan, which has to do with soil contamination at the proposed compressor station site. The comment period ends on November 6. Comments must relate to soil contamination and the cleanup of the soil. See below for details on how to submit + sample questions.

FRRACS members have been sifting through thousands of pages of reports to prepare for the upcoming Public Involvement Plan meeting. These reports are related to soil contamination at the site and Enbridge’s draft Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan. In the midst of our research, we discovered that key documents were missing from MassDEP’s website. These documents are necessary for the review of Enbridge’s draft RAM plan, as well as other reports. We promptly sent a request to DEP asking them to fix the broken links and to allow for an extension of the PIP comment period.

The Patriot Ledger - Compressor critics say website issues impeding research

Senator Warren, Senator Markey, and Congressman Lynch sent a letter to Enbridge, urging them to reconsider the compressor station proposal.

Investigative journalist Itai Vardi covered this story for Desmogblog. Read it here: Massachusetts Lawmakers Step Up Pressure on Enbridge to Scrap Controversial Gas Compressor Station

In a letter addressed to the president of Enbridge, Senator Markey, Senator Warren, and Congressman Lynch expressed their serious concerns about the compressor station and urged Enbridge to reconsider the proposal.

We applaud them for speaking out and for voicing their opposition. Take a moment to send your thanks to each of them. The press release and letter are available below.

The Patriot Ledger - Lawmakers ask gas company CEO to pull compressor station plans

Nathan Phillips, a vocal opponent of gas infrastructure, live-streamed today’s blowdown of methane from an Enbridge pipeline in Newton and Wellesley. Nathan has lead many efforts to map gas leaks throughout the area and has been a longtime ally of FRRACS. Nathan and other concerned residents drove around the area with a methane mapping instrument to measure the levels of methane released by the blowdown. You can watch the livestream here.

Members of FRRACS joined our allies in Newton on the morning of October 8, to alert drivers that they were entering an active gas leak. Enbridge informed local municipalities just a few days ago that they would be conducting a “blowdown” of their pipeline in Newton and Weston. We held signs over the I-95 overpass that read, “Enbridge Gas Leak: Next 3 Miles”.

You can read our full press release below. Patch also covered this story; read it here.

Weymouth resident, Suzanne Torres, called out Governor Baker for not speaking out against the compressor station. In the letter, she explains that Baker visited the Merrimack Valley to offer his condolences to those impacted by the gas explosion, but refuses to put a stop to another dangerous gas infrastructure project — the compressor station.

Dr. Phil Landrigan, a physician and epidemiologist, sent a letter to DEP Commissioner Gary Moran, urging the Department to reconsider the compressor station proposal. Dr. Landrigan is known worldwide for his advocacy on issues related to children’s health. He also testified as an expert witness during the Air Quality hearing at DEP. He has continuously voiced his concerns regarding the health impacts that the compressor station would have on the community. We thank Dr. Landrigan for using his expertise in public health to call attention to this important issue. You can read his letter here

Good news, Fore River Campers! State House News reporting another (the 9th!) stay from Coastal Zone Management! Until at least Nov. 4. Maybe beyond.

State House News Service - CZM AGAIN EXTENDS REVIEW OF NATURAL GAS PROJECT

Senator Markey paid a visit to the proposed compressor station site today. He was joined by members of FRRACS, Sen. O'Connor, Rep. Murphy, Sen. Timilty, Mayor Koch, and staff from Sen. Warren's office. Alice took them on a tour of the site and nearby facilities. We thank our represents for joining us today and for giving us their unwavering support.

You can watch the tour with Sen. Markey here

Today was a powerful day. A day full of hope, resistance, and creative action. Local residents and allies blocked the entrance to MassDEP in Boston to call on the agency to put an end to the Weymouth compressor station proposal by denying the remaining permits.

News coverage of today's action:
The Patriot Ledger
State House News Service