RED ALERT! Important News + Action Items

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We have much to tell you on this Labor Day Weekend. In typical form, Enbridge dropped some very difficult information on us today. They will begin what is known as "commissioning" activities starting on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Please go here to view the letters sent to the Town of Weymouth to better understand what these activities entail. 

We let you know last week that the 1st Circuit Court had rescinded the vacatur of the Air Quality permit which, in effect, gave the AQ permit back to Enbridge.  The Court mistakenly assumed that Enbridge would not begin commissioning the compressor station UNTIL the remand process (appeal) on the BACT analysis (Best Available Control Technology) was complete in January of 2021.  The Court, likely unfamiliar with the duplicitous nature of Enbridge, thought that they would behave themselves and wait until everything had been settled.  The Court doesn't know Enbridge like we do. There is nothing the Court said or did that will stop them from operating fully at this point--remand or not. Only the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the MA Department of Environmental Protection, Governor Baker, or Attorney General Healey can stop them from operating. And we think you know how that will turn out.  

What does this all mean for your health and safety? Well, they will be doing blow downs of the system.  Be prepared for extremely loud noise--like a jet engine on your roof.  They will be releasing 675,000 standard cubic feet of gas over four days.  BTW, that's equal to the annual emissions of 314 gas heated homes (thanks, Professor Phillips!). Be prepared for the heavy smell of methane--or actually, the mercaptan additive which is a carcinogen.  Be prepared for the release of toxic, volatile organic compounds like benzene--lots of them.  Be prepared for all of this 24/7 for the entire week.  

We recommend that you sign up for Code Red to get alerts about blow downs and about accidents at the compressor station or other emergency situations around Town. 

We know that this is difficult news to take in. Enbridge has been gearing up to dump their methane-spewing compressor station on us for years now. But because of you, their original plans have been delayed year after year. We will continue to keep up the fight to make sure their compressor station is short-lived. So, what can you do to continue the fight?

Below is a list of urgent action items. We need you now more than ever. Take action today and urge your friends and networks to join you.

Thank you, as ever, for all that you do.

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Action Item 1: Submit Comments to MassDEP on their Draft Air Quality Monitoring Plan

**Comments are due by Thursday, September 10**

As you know, North Weymouth is slated to get a permanent air quality monitor in the Fore River Basin.  The monitor was supposed to be set up by July 1, 2020, but that didn't happen. After years of fighting for this air quality monitor, the state is still dragging their feet. What is important right now, is knowing where exactly they plan to place the monitor and when they plan to have it in place. We need sufficient time to collect baseline data before the compressor station goes into operation. Can you submit a comment to MassDEP today, in response to their plans for placement of the North Weymouth permanent AQ monitor?

You can use this sample email. Comments should be sent to Sean Dunn - sean.m.dunn@mass.gov - by September 10.

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Action Item 2: Submit Air Quality Comments to MassDEP by September 8th!

**Comments are due Tuesday, September 8**

This comment period, though related to air quality, is different from the air quality monitor comment period. This one has to do with Enbridge's air quality permit. It's all very complicated, but we have prepared a list of possible questions/comments for you to send into the DEP. Click here to view instructions and for a list of sample questions/comments. You can also submit a comment directly to MassDEP using this AddUP Campaign from the Sierra Club. Whether you send the email yourself or through the AddUP campaign, we ask that you do it by September 8.