Hey friends, Don't forget FRRACS is meeting this week. There's lots to discuss and projects to start working on, so we hope you can make it.
When: Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm
Where: Fore River Club House in Quincy (16 Nevada Rd.)
* For folks new to the group who want to get a recap on the campaign, you're welcome to join us at 6:30pm.
See you on Tuesday!
UPDATE - SPECTRA HAS CANCELED THEIR APPEARANCE AT THE MARCH 9 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING, but they may be there in April. We will keep you updated!
CANCELED - Spectra will be before the Weymouth Conservation Commission on March 9th at 7:00PM in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall. Please plan to attend this important meeting, if you can. We need to deny Spectra our public lands.
A legal notice should be appearing in the paper and the agenda will be out a few days prior.
After thoughtfully and meticulously reading through just one of Spectra's 300-page documents, Councilor Rebecca Haugh came across this striking statement that pertains to the proposed compressor station:
"The Weymouth Compressor Station is also considered to be a high consequence area."
As Councilor Haugh said, "If it is a high consequence area, then why is it being considered and why are there no regulations or laws to protect humans? There are more regulations protecting birds, turtles and bats than human beings with these projects."
Join us on Wednesday, March 9 at the Town Hall in Weymouth (75 Middle Street) to defend our public lands from Spectra.
pipeline tax hearing 2
Attend the crucial hearing on this issue on Thursday, February 25 at 1:30PM. More details here.
Eversource and National Grid have petitioned Gov. Baker's DPU to institute a Pipeline TAX (you heard right, a tax) to be figured into the rate structure of EVERY electric bill for the residents of Massachusetts. This TAX is to pay for the as yet unbuilt and unnecessary pipelines and compressors of Kinder Morgan and Spectra. This is unprecedented for a rate increase to be established prior to a build-out.
The people of the Commonwealth will pay for the infrastructure of PRIVATE corporations, own none of the infrastructure for which they have paid, and have NO guarantee of lower prices in the future or even of receiving any of the gas coming through the pipelines. The MAJORITY of this gas, whether Spectra or Kinder Morgan, is headed for Canada to be off-shored on the world market.
On February 8, 2016, the DOE signed off on the permits to export this gas to Non-FTA (Free Trade Association) countries. The permits to export to FTA countries was given last May.
There will be an important hearing on this issue on Thursday, February 25 at 1:30PM - meet outside of South Station. More details here.
Tell the DPU and Gov. Baker: No Taxation Without Representation! Gov. Baker is supporting this TAX.
Hey Folks, Don't forget - FRRACS will be meeting tonight!
Hope to see you tonight!
Here's a great new article on the rise of renewables compared to liquefied natural gas. A report, prepared by an independent firm, the Brattle Group, "warns investors, governments and regulators that renewable forms of energy could outcompete high-cost and high-risk liquefied natural gas projects."
This Saturday, January 30, folks from PA will be discussing the health impacts of natural gas in South Deerfield, Massachusetts. This may be only time to hear their presentation and it'll be a great opportunity to connect with other pipeline communities. If you're interested in carpooling, then please email us at NoCompressor@gmail.com. More info below:
Presentation on Health Effects of Compressor Stations & Natural Gas Infrastructure
Researchers from the Southwest PA Environmental Health Project will be holding an afternoon seminar to help address questions from New England Communities with a focus on the effects of air pollution from Natural Gas Infrastructure.
This presentation is especially intended for local health and safety officials, town leaders and local activist leaders from communities that could be affected by pipelines, compressor stations and natural gas electric generation plants, though the general public is also welcome.
Since the researchers from SWP-EHP have limited availability to speak outside of their study area, the South Deerfield, Massachusetts location was chosen to be central to communities across New England and upstate New York. This may be a one-time opportunity to hear from the team that led the study on health effects from the Minisink, NY compressor station. Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:00 - 4:00 PM Frontier Regional High School 113 N Main St. South Deerfield, MA 01373
The Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project (EHP) is a nonprofit environmental health organization created to assist and support Washington County residents who believe their health has been, or could be, impacted by natural gas drilling activities. http://www.environmentalhealthproject.org/
Don't forget: Tonight- January 26 – Discussion on the Health Effects of Compressor Stations
7 pm – Thomas Crane Public Library (Quincy Center)
Details: Dr. Curt Nordgaard will lead a discussion on the potential health effects of the proposed compressor station. Co-sponsored by QCAN and FRRACS.
Opposition by residents and office-holders to the proposed Fore River compressor station stems largely from the idea that emissions from the facility would harm the health of Quincy and Weymouth residents.
Research on the Spectra proposal by Nordgaard, who also has a master’s in biology, has taken him deep into the scientific literature on health effects of compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein, three of many pollutants that will be emitted by the compressor station, according to Spectra’s application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Algonquin will be providing shuttles from parts of Quincy to the Open House tomorrow, Wednesday January 27. The schedule is as follows: Ground Transportation:
Pickup 1: GERMANTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, 366 PALMER ST. QUINCY, MA
Pickup 2: O’BRIEN TOWERS 73 BICKNELL ST. QUINCY, MA
Drop-off: BOSTON MARRIOTT, 1000 MARRIOTT DRIVE QUINCY, MA
(Shuttles will run in a loop between all three locations)
First Pick Up Time: 5:00PM
Shuttles will run return trips until everyone from Germantown has left the meeting.
Three shuttles that will run continuously, which includes a wheelchair accessible bus to ensure everyone will have access to the shuttle.
There will also be two translators: one will be able to translate Cantonese/Mandarin and the other will be for Spanish-speakers.
The cold weather won't slow us down! Grab your coat and winter gear to join some of the important climate events coming up this week and next: This THURSDAY, January 21 - Demonstration to Stop the Secret Pipeline Tax
7pm - Massachusetts State House, Boston (near Park St. Station)
Details: On Thursday, Governor Baker will be delivering his first-ever "State of the State" address to the legislature. We'll be there, shining a spotlight on Governor Baker's silence and asking him to take a stand against the pipeline tax!
Check out the Facebook event here
Tuesday, January 26 - Discussion on the Health Effects of Compressor Stations
7 pm - Thomas Crane Public Library (Quincy Center)
Details: Dr. Curt Nordgaard will lead a discussion on the potential health effects of the proposed compressor station. Co-sponsored by QCAN and FRRACS.
Opposition by residents and office-holders to the proposed Fore River compressor station stems largely from the idea that emissions from the facility would harm the health of Quincy and Weymouth residents.
Research on the Spectra proposal by Nordgaard, who also has a master’s in biology, has taken him deep into the scientific literature on health effects of compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein, three of many pollutants that will be emitted by the compressorstation, according to Spectra’s application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Wednesday, January 27 - Spectra Open House
5:30-7:30 - Boston Marriott Quincy (1000 Marriott Drive), Quincy, MA
Details: This open house is for the Access Northeast project. We will be flyering at the Marriott. We are working to set up a carpool from the T to the venue, but that isn't guaranteed yet - stay tuned for more info. More actions and demonstrations TBA.
The Bristol-based nonprofit released a letter addressed to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday, calling on the Democratic presidential candidate to ask the Government Accountability Office to investigate FERC... ...The letter was also addressed to Elizabeth Warren, a senator from Massachusetts, who along with Sanders serves on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources...."
This chart lists all the upcoming Spectra Access Northeast Open Houses coming up. The Weymouth/Quincy/Braintree one is the last one: Wednesday, January 27 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Boston Marriott in Quincy.
We hope you can make it to one of them!
spectra open hosue
It's shaping up to be a busy January, so be sure to mark your calendar's!
Tuesday, January 12:
What: FRRACS Meeting
Time: 7pm-8:45pm
Location: Tufts Library
Tuesday, January 26:
What: Health Effects of Compressor Station Discussion w/ Dr. Curt Nordgaard
Time: 7pm
Location: Thomas Crane Public Library - Quincy Center
Wednesday, January 27
What: Access Northeast Open House
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Boston Marriot Quincy (1000 Marriott Dr.) - Quincy
You can watch a sneak peak of Dr. Nordgaard's talk here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbUi7y3BRxc&feature=youtu.be
Hi Friends, This is a reminder that the next meeting of FRRACS will be next week:
Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm
Tufts Library - Weymouth
As always, there will be lots to discuss, including: Recent soil testing at the Fore River site; postcard campaign; money for advertising; permanent meeting location update; and more!
Happy 2016 - hope to see you next week!
Lot's of important events coming up this month, so mark your calendars!
Tuesday, January 12:
FRRACS meeting
Time: 7pm
Location: Tufts Library, Weymouth
Tuesday, January 26:
Health Effects Discussion w/ Dr. Curt Nordgaard,
Time: 7pm
Location: Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy
*watch this video for a sneak peak of his talk:
Wednesday, January 27:
Access Northeast Open House
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Boston Marriott Quincy (1000 Marriott Dr., Quincy)
this changes everything
Great opportunity to enjoy a potluck dinner and see Naomi Klein's new film, This Changes Everything, in Cambridge on Sunday, January 10. Read below to find out more!
Join Massachusetts Peace Action, Earth Stewardship at First Church Cambridge, and our co-hosts for a screening and discussion of This Changes Everything, the new documentary based on the Naomi Klein book of the same name that weaves together threads of climate, racial and economic injustice and the movement of movements already rising for a new, non-extractive economy.
Co-Hosts include 350 Massachusetts, Grassroots International and Boston Downwinders. A representative from each co-host will facilitate discussions at a thematic table, to take the issues raised by the film into our work and lives.
Please register so we know you’re coming, and if possible make a donation! Pre-registration is NOT required, but will help us plan food and discussion. Renting the film cost us $232.
5:00 pm: Potluck and conversation in thematic tables 6:00 pm: Watch the film 7:30 pm: Small group discussions 8:30 pm: Close
Snow Date: January 24. If in doubt, call 617-354-2169.
About the Film
“This Changes Everything” presents seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines of climate injustice, from Montana’s Powder River Basin to the Alberta Tar Sands, from the coast of South India to Beijing.
Interwoven with these stories of struggle is Naomi Klein’s narration, connecting the carbon in the air with the economic system that put it there. Throughout the film, Klein builds to her most controversial and exciting idea: that we can seize the existential crisis of climate change to transform our failed economic system into something radically better.
BREAKING NEWS: The Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station has received the endorsement of the Mass Nurses Association, the largest union of registered nurses and health professionals in the state, and the third largest in the nation! Nurses are on the front lines of public health issues and the MNA is acknowledging the detrimental health effects of this proposed compressor station.
More updates to come.
Thank you, Mass Nurses, for your support!
From FANG (Fighting Against Natural Gas): BREAKING.
A top safety inspector and an electrical inspector who worked for Spectra Energy on the "AIM" pipeline project have come forward to FANG with damning information about the company. The information that the whistleblowers have shared is alarming.
Spectra Energy pressured inspectors to hide information from safety reports and circumvent rules while rushing to complete the "AIM" project at all costs. Workers suffered heat exhaustion and were pushed to work 70-80 hours a week while attempts to raise concerns were met with immediate retaliation. As one of the whistleblowers put it "We were told to shut the f*** up or quit".
A top safety inspector who oversaw construction at compressor stations told us that the situation is so toxic that if the company doesn't change their workplace culture, that the safety mishaps and continuous violations could lead to a catastrophic pipeline explosion.
All of this means that this weekend's mobilization in Burrillville is that much more important.
Join us on December 4-5th as we take action alongside the residents of Burrillville at the site of one of Spectra Energy's fracked-gas compressor stations that is currently under construction as part of the "AIM" Project.
FANG has been resisting Spectra's "AIM" project tirelessly for the past two years. But now it's time to #StopSpectra once and for all.
Local opposition to the proposed Natural Gas Compressor Station abutting a dense residential community
Every contribution helps us bring attention to this dangerous Compressor Station.
www.NoCompressor.com is maintained by Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station.
Email: nocompressor@gmail.com
