MassDEP Approves Water Permit for KM
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FRRACS Presentation on Municipal Rights
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On Tuesday, July 12th, the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station will present an evening with Terra Friedrichs, socially-conscious Business Consultant, Legislative Activist, Organizer and Citizen who will speak about using municipal rights to fight for the communities that we deserve.
Read MoreNatural Gas Loses Favorability
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The Senate voted 39 to 0 on the "Ban the Pipeline Tax" amendment and the desire for natural gas is fading.
From Commonwealth:
Read More"No Pipeline Tax" Amendment Passes State Senate!
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In a State Senate vote today, they voted unanimously against the infamous pipeline tax - 39 to 0, to be exact. This is a big step and should be celebrated. It is awaiting a final decision in a conference committee.
A big thank you to everyone who organized around this, who has sent emails, made phone calls, or held signs at events. And to all the senators who voted against the pipeline tax.
Though the fight isn't over yet, we are one step closer.
Read MorePresentation on Pipelines Helps Sen. Keenan Vote Against Pipeline Tax
/QCAN, FRRACS, and the Thomas Crane Public Library hosted an event about pipelines, gas leaks, and the need for renewable energy. The event featured presentations from Nathan Philips, BU Professor (who led a study on gas leaks); Tyler Soleau, Director of Acadia Center; and Alice Arena of FRRACS.
Senator Keenan attended the event and said that his decision to cosponsor two of the amendments to the omnibus energy bill (i.e. the No Pipeline Tax amendment) was the direct result of what he learned that night!
Alert - Unnamed Polling Group Calling w/Nat Gas Survey
/ALERT--ALERT--ALERT
We got a call from FRRACS friend Carol, who said that she received a phone call from a polling company that wanted to ask questions about natural gas, pipelines, etc. She said they proceeded to ask about 45 questions--some of them repeated, but in different manner--about gas, pipelines, tariffs, politicians, etc.
The company did not identify themselves. But from the sound of some of the questions, it is highly likely that this was from the natural gas industry, if not from Spectra themselves.
FRRACS would appreciated being contacted by anyone who receives this call and bothers to answer all or some of the questions. Shoot us an email at nocompressor@gmail.com.
Thanks for all that you do!
Rep. Bonnie Coleman to Announce Bill to Overhaul FERC
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As community activists urge for reform of FERC, the federal agency that oversees pipeline projects, others are joining the call, too.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman said she will announce a bill that seeks to reform FERC's approval process.
Read MoreAction Alert: Senate Voting on Energy Bill on Thursday
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The State Senate is poised to vote on the energy omnibus bill, S2372, on Thursday. The bill has some strong provisions, but we can go further by banning the pipeline tax, restoring gas leaks reforms, and supporting solar power.
CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR BEFORE THURSDAY'S VOTE! Script is below.
Read MoreAction Alert: Call Your Senators Today to Stop the Pipelines!
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ALERT - ACTION ITEM: Last week, members of FRRACS delivered a letter, signed by 121 organizations, to Senators Warren and Markey in conjunction with groups in RI, CT, and NY.
Now we are asking folks to CALL, TWEET, and send FACEBOOK messages to your Senators to demand that "Our Federal Senators demand that FERC issue a stay that stops all work on the Spectra AIM Pipeline as a united voice AND agree to hold a joint press conference in D.C. on July 5."
Click here for a call script and sample tweets/facebook posts.
Read MoreSpectra Pays Fines for Safety Violations
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This probably doesn't come as a surprise, but Spectra's pipelines aren't safe and they are paying for their violations. Spectra will try to tell us that they have a good safety record but their fines (and explosions) prove otherwise.
You can read the article here.
Read MoreMulti-state letter delivered to Senators
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On Monday, June 20, community members from MA, NY, CT, and RI delivered a letter to state senators urging them to take action against Spectra and FERC. Three FRRACS members delivered the letter to staffers for Senators Markey and Warren. Read the press release below for more details and photos.
Read MoreImportant Agencies to Contact
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At this point you've probably contacted FERC, MassDEP, ConCom, Senators, and local reps, so who can you contact next? One of our members, Mike, highly recommends contacting the following three agencies. There's no comment period or upcoming meetings with these agencies, but they have a connection to the project in some fashion, so hearing from you could be really helpful.
Read MoreJune FRRACS Meeting Recap
/We had a great meeting this week! For those who couldn't make it, read below for a recap of what was discussed.
Last month was a very busy month, with public meetings, rallies, and more comment periods than we could keep track of. So it may feel like things have slowed down a bit, but it's important to keep up the pressure. There are a handful of events planned for the summer and more to be announced.
Upcoming Actions and Events
Saturday, June 18: We will have a table at Weyfest from 11am-2pm at Southfield (Weymouth). Stop by the table to pick up a sign or stickers.
Sunday, June 19: Father's Day Action - Leafleting in Winthrop and Swampscott (10am-2pm), Rally in Swapscott (2-4pm), and a screening (7-9pm) of "How to Let go of the World and Love all of the Things that Climate Can't Change" w/Director Josh Fox. More info here.
Monday, June 20: Crane Library Presentation w/ QCAN to discuss gas pipeline alternatives (7-9pm). More info here.
Thursday, July 14 - Monday, July 18: People Over Pipelines March - Residents across Mass will march along Spectra's proposed pipeline route to show Gov. Baker and state leaders that if they don't act on pipelines, the people will. For more details, visit the facebook page:
Ongoing: Collecting postcards for Gov. Baker - we've had an ongoing campaign to collect postcards urging Gov. Baker to take action on stopping pipelines, compressors, and the pipeline tax. If you would like to help us gather some more signatures on the postcards, send us an email at nocompressor@gmail.com and we will get you some postcards. They will be recollected and hand delivered, not mailed.
Updates from May meetings and other happenings:
DEP: The comment period has ended and we are awaiting their response. Stay tuned for details. Thanks to all who submitted comments and attended hearings.
EFSB: Great turnout at the hearing (thank you to all who came!). The EFSB submitted a strong and detailed response to FERC last year in regards to Atlantic Bridge, advising them not to approve the project. This time around the meetings with the EFSB were for Access Northeast and we are now waiting to see what they submitted to FERC. The EFSB has no control over the decision, but they can submit their comments and opinions.
ConCom: The Conservation Commission denied Spectra's permit request! Thanks to all who submitted comments. This doesn't stop the project, but could create some delay.
FERC: Residents submitted detailed, informative and powerful statements to FERC staff at the May hearing. Though the technical comment period ended last month, it appears FERC is still accepting comments. So please continue to submit, if you can.
SJC Decision on Pipeline Tax: Their decision regarding Gov. Baker's Pipeline Tax is expected to be announced in July or August - stay tuned.
Warren/Markey Letter to FERC: The Senators recently sent a letter to FERC regarding the conflict of interest between NRG (the company that completed the EA on Atlantic Bridge) and Spectra. Itai Vardi of Desmogblog.com recently revealed this alarming (but not surprising) conflict of interest. The Senators urged FERC to issue an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for Atlantic Bridge to be completed by an independent, third-party company.
DeSmogBlog Articles - Itai Vardi, professor at BU and freelance journalist, has uncovered details regarding Spectra and FERC's dirty ways. Read his articles here and here.
Fundraising - if you have ideas for fundraisers, let us know! It's possible that we will have some heavy costs in the future (i.e. a lawyer or legal counsel).
Our next meeting is: Tuesday, July 12 at the Fore River Club in Quincy - 7pm (6:30pm for meet & greet). Hope to see you there!
FRRACS Meeting Tonight - June 14
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Join us tonight to get an update about where we're at and what comes next. Invite your friends and neighbors, too! There will be some yard signs available.
Fore River Clubhouse - 16 Nevada Rd.
7PM (join us at 6:30PM for a Meet & Greet)
Read MoreSenators Warren and Markey Send Letter to FERC
/We greatly appreciate their support in this fight; please send your thanks to them. Let's make sure FERC follows up with their requests, too. Demand that FERC issues an INDEPENDENT EIS for Atlantic Bridge.
You can read the letter below or here.
FRRACS Meeting Tuesday, 6/14
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Join us for the monthly meeting of FRRACS:
Tuesday, June 14 at the Fore River Clubhouse (16 Nevada, Rd.)
Meet and greet at 6:30pm; regular meeting at 7:00pm
Read MoreGas Leaks Amendment Passes House
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More news today in the realm of politics. An energy bill that includes an amendment that would speed up the repair of gas leaks throughout the state, passed in the House today.
Read MoreTake Action - Fracking ban and Compressor Amendment Pass the Senate
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Good news! A bill that would ban fracking in Massachusetts passed the Senate today. Senator O'Connor attached an amendment to the bill that would ban compressor stations within 6/10 of a mile of population centers (school, churches, etc.) Now this will have to pass in the House and they will need a veto proof majority as Gov. Baker is not our friend on any of this.
Please take action to let your representative know that you support this Senate bill.
Read MoreRep. James Murphy Speaks out Against the Compressor
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At a house session meeting, Rep. James Murphy spoke out against the compressor station and in favor of renewable energy. We greatly appreciate his support in this fight.
Read MoreWhistleblower Reveals EPA Fracking Cover-Up
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Another day, another toxic cover-up. A whistleblower has revealed that the EPA covered up toxic fracking emissions data for years. Why? The watchdog group says that an EPA researcher may have accepted money from the oil and gas industry in exchange for the cover-up of data.
Read More