Recap of recent events: BACT analysis, 2nd system failure, PHMSA COA, and more

What a week it has been. Just when you think it can’t get more crazy, it does! Below is a recap of the events that have transpired over the past week. This post is a bit long, but we hope you find it informative and helpful. Stick with us, friends! And be sure to join us tomorrow, October 3, for a socially-distant gathering at the compressor station. We’ll be joined by the Red Rebels, an international performance troupe dedicated to highlighting the global climate crisis. You can find more details below and on our website.

What the heck happened this week? A recap:

On September 24, FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) gave Enbridge the green light to begin operating the compressor station. This decision came less than two weeks after a gasket on a pump in one of the separators failed and, as a result, 169,000 standard cubic feet (scf) of fracked gas was released. FERC ignored this serious incident and proceeded to give Enbridge final approval. Though we were disappointed by their decision, we were not surprised. FERC has long been a rubber stamp agency enabling the fossil fuel industry to destroy communities and, ultimately, the planet. Enbridge stated that they would place the compressor station in service on October 1.

On Tuesday, September 29, we received news that another rubber stamp agency, MassDEP (aka the Dept. of Enabling Polluters), approved Enbridge’s decision to use a gas turbine over an electric turbine for the compressor station. You may remember that back in June, the First Circuit court vacated Enbridge’s air quality permit, stating that Enbridge had not done the proper BACT analysis (Best Available Control Technology) for an electric motor drive vs. gas turbine. The First Circuit court instructed MassDEP to review Enbridge’s analysis and determine if it was appropriate for them to have chosen a gas turbine without considering an electric turbine. We asked you to submit comments to MassDEP on this issue. And many of you did! Of course, MassDEP ignored most of the comments and gave Enbridge the go-ahead on the BACT, saying that the gas turbine was fine with them. You can read MassDEP's decision here and their response to comments here.

Then, on Wednesday, September 30, we found out that Enbridge had ANOTHER accident at the compressor station, the cause of which is still unknown. And get this, we were alerted via a tweet from Rep. Stephen Lynch. No one was notified other than the Town and the DEP. Many thanks to Congressman Lynch for not only pursuing the shut down of operations, but for alerting us --via Twitter--that this accident had occurred. Rep. Lynch sent a letter to FERC, urging them to suspend the project permanently, stating that the facility poses a public safety threat. You can read his letter here. It is unacceptable that neither MassDEP nor the Town alerted the community. People need to be able to leave the area during a blowdown or any incident if they so choose. 

Not operational, two accidents in two weeks--but FERC doesn’t intervene. Move along. Nothing to see here, says FERC. 

Senators Warren and Markey had sent a letter to PHMSA on September 30, urging them to halt activities at the compressor station and to investigate Enbridge’s first emergency shutdown (which occurred on Friday, September 11). Little did any of us know that Enbridge would have a SECOND accident that same day. We thank Senators Markey and Warren for continuing to put pressure on agencies that have the power to shut down the compressor station. You can read their letter to PHMSA here.

October 1 was supposed to be Enbridge’s big day. We planned to be on the bridge in the afternoon, as we have been every week for almost six years. We usually stand out on Wednesday’s but opted for Thursday this week to bear witness.  We gathered on the bridge to the delight of so many cars passing by.  We got over 290 honks from those who support our efforts to keep them from getting blown up! We even got a little press on the fight and on the accident from Wednesday.   

And then PHMSA stepped in, and it got a lot more interesting. It was an unexpected turn of events, but we welcomed the news. PHMSA issued a Corrective Action Order (CAO) to Enbridge after they had two emergency shutdowns in less than 3 weeks. After receiving the CAO, Enbridge agreed to delay their startup plans. Oh, how we wish we could have seen the look on the face of Enbridge’s spokesliar, Max Bergeron. 

We don’t know what will happen next, but we hope that this is the beginning of the end for Enbridge’s ill-conceived project. Until then, we will continue to keep you updated on Enbridge’s activities. Be sure to check our Facebook page and website for regular updates. 

And don’t forget to join us tomorrow, October 3 at 10am for a special event at the site. We will be joined by the Red Rebels, an international performance troupe dedicated to highlighting the global climate crisis. You can watch a video of them here. We’ll be meeting at Lovell’s Grove at 10am (look for the parking on the Calpine side of the access road that goes under the Fore River Bridge). From Lovell’s Grove, the Red Rebels will begin a silent procession past the compressor station. The event will end with a standout on the Bridge. Overflow parking will be at 352 Bridge St., Weymouth (a 10 minute walk away). Visit our website for maps and more details. As always, please wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others.

Thank you, Fore River Campers, for all that you do!