The Town of Weymouth has filed a petition to intervene as a party in a proceeding with the DPU under docket #19-132. This is in response to National Grid’s petition to seek approval of a 14-year firm transportation agreement with Algonquin Gas Transmission Company.

Many thanks to the Town for continuing to put time and resources into this fight. You can read the full petition here and below.

Take Action:  Call Governor Baker and ask him for CZM’s climate resiliency review of the compressor

In July 2017, Governor Baker sent a letter to the Mayor of Weymouth WITH AN IMPORTANT PROMISE. 

Governor Baker promised that his administration, under the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), would review the proposed Weymouth compressor station to ensure it would be resilient to storms, flooding, and future sea level rise.

Last week, WBUR reported that Eversource and National Grid stated that they do not need the compressor. Now there is news of a third utility: Norwich Public Utilities in Connecticut. If these utilities are stating that they do not need the gas that would build the compressor, why is Enbridge still insisting on building it?

You can read the full piece from WBUR here.

“Community advocates have been saying all along that the Weymouth compressor station isn’t going to help Massachusetts consumers—it only helps those in Canada and abroad,” said Senator Markey. “Now, National Grid and Eversource are admitting the same thing. Federal regulators are supposed to gauge whether projects will fill a public need when approving energy facilities. It’s clear that the Weymouth compressor is unneeded, unwanted, and unwelcome in Massachusetts, and should be rejected.”

We held space at the proposed compressor site from sunrise to sunset today, the day that Enbridge recently stated would be their first day of construction. We are happy to say that construction DID NOT start today. We don’t intend to ever allow it to start. Many thanks to everyone who braved the wind and the cold to be with us today. We are immensely grateful for your support.

National Grid and Eversource have officially stated that they do not need the gas that would be coming from the compressor station. We've been saying it for almost five years. Now, the utilities are backing it up with fact. Will FERC listen? Will Governor Baker finally take control as he has been able to do all along? Read more from WBUR.

Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility (GBPSR) organized an event at the State House in support of our fight against the compressor. They gathered outside of Governor Baker’s office with dozens of allies to call on Baker to do the right thing. GBPSR have been incredible allies in this fight. They continuously use their platform and expertise to speak out on the serious health and safety risks related to the compressor station proposal. We are immensely grateful for their advocacy.

Here is the trailer for our upcoming documentary! Our "Telling the Stories" project has been ongoing for the past year and is near completion. We hope to premier it in late November or early December. We will keep you updated on that. Many, many thanks to our FRRACS subcommittee for all of their work to make this possible. Many thanks to the Island Foundation for the grant to pay for all of this work!

Read it and weep, Campers! That little valve problem that shut off the gas to 7000 RI customers in January? Right here in Weymouth. And PHMSA finds that Enbridge was NEGLIGENT in programing their valves. Huh. How surprising. As our friend Cathy K. says, "What happens when they program the valve (or some other piece of equipment) incorrectly right at or near that proposed Fore River Compressor Station?" Read more from Providence Business News - National Grid, Enbridge faulted for January’s natural gas emergency (link)

FRRACS members and allies visited 7 agencies that have been involved in the compressor fight on our “Toxic Tour” today and delivered an “Enbridge Enabler” award to each agency. See pictures below!

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.