State Senator O'Connor has submitted a bill that would prevent the construction of compressor stations within a half mile of certain facilities and vulnerable areas, and we need folks to attend the Joint Committee hearing on Tuesday, May 16 at 1pm.

More specifically, the act would prevent construction of compressor stations "less than 0.5 miles in linear distance from: (i) a playground;(ii) a licensed day care center; (iii) a school; (iv) a church; (v) an environmental justice population neighborhood; (vi) an area of critical environmental concern as determined by the secretary of environmental affairs under 301 CMR 12.00; (vii) a waterway preserved and protected for water-dependent uses under chapter 91; or (viii) an area occupied by residential housing."

The hearing on Senate Bill 469, An Act relative to the positioning of compressor stations, will be on Tuesday, May 16 at 1:00pm at the State House in room B-1.

How you can help:

1. Pack the room!

• The hearing begins at 1:00pm on May 16; Senate Bill 469 is the fourth item on the agenda, but we advise folks to show up around 1:00pm in room B-1.
• Spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to join

2. Call and write to your reps urging them to co-sponsor Senate Bill 469, An Act relative to the positioning of compressor stations.

• If you don't know who your State Senator or Rep is, you can find out here.
• Sample letter and phone script here. (Feel free to adapt.)

3. Petition members of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

• This is the committee that is reviewing the bill on Tuesday
• Give them a call or send them asking them to support this bill. Contact List here. (Thanks to our friend Jenn for compiling this)
• Sample phone and email script here. (As always, feel free to adapt.)

This bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. The following state reps have signed on in support:

Patrick M. O'Connor, Richard J. Ross, Josh S. Cutler, Barbara A. L'Italien, Sheila C. Harrington, Paul R. Heroux, John F. Keenan, James B. Eldridge, James M. Murphy, Bruce J. Ayers, Chris Walsh, Bruce E. Tarr.

Who knows what will come of this, but we hope to show a lot of support for this bill!

Sample phone and email script below: