PHMSA grants temporary approval to Enbridge

We’ve received notice that Enbridge intends to turn on their compressor station this weekend (beginning Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021).

A letter of approval from PHMSA indicates that it will be a phased start up: PHMSA is allowing Enbridge to go to 100% capacity, but is also stating that this is a temporary order, that the Root Cause Failure analysis is still pending, and that there are "remaining corrective actions" that Enbridge has to attend to.

Our question remains the same: How can PHMSA grant temporary approval when the results from their investigation is still pending?

We're also curious as to the timing of Enbridge’s announcement... Enbridge's certificate extension ends on Sunday, and they haven't fulfilled the requirements of the original certificate.

You can read more from WBUR - Weymouth Compressor Operator Says It’s Starting Up Facility This Weekend (link) and from The Patriot Ledger - Residents want answers from regulators about compressor station (link)

“After two unplanned emergency shutdowns in September delayed the startup of a controversial natural gas compressor station in Weymouth and triggered a federal safety investigation, the company behind the project, Enbridge, says it’s “identified and addressed” any problems and is ready to go into service this weekend.

“The compressor station will methodically be placed in service beginning on January 23, in accordance with applicable regulations and with oversight from PHMSA [the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration],” Enbridge spokesman Max Bergeron said in a statement. “We expect to have the ability to start flowing gas through the compressor station for our customers in the coming days.”’ (WBUR)