Press Release - Health Impact Assessment Community Advisory Committee addresses MAPC audit

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Press Release - Health Impact Assessment Community Advisory Committee addresses MAPC audit

Health Impact Assessment Community Advisory Committee addresses MAPC audit

Members of the Advisory Committee disappointed with MAPC audit

Weymouth, MA—Members of the Community Advisory Committee have reviewed the audit performed by Public Health by Design for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) released on Monday September 14, 2020 in regards to the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Weymouth compressor station published in January of 2019. This audit was precipitated by public scrutiny and outcry after the original release of the HIA. The public criticism of the HIA is borne out by the audit findings.

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Important emergency phone numbers and contacts

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Important emergency phone numbers and contacts

With the recent accident at the compressor station, we know that you are all very anxious. We find that the best cure for anxiety is to have a plan. In this case, in order to have a plan, you will need to have some emergency numbers in your tool kit, and we are happy to give you a few right now.

Please put these into your cell phone, computer, or just tack them up on a wall near a phone--whatever works best for you! We are beginning with local numbers and moving on to Enbridge and State numbers, depending on what the situation is.

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MAPC releases audit of their Fore River Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

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MAPC releases audit of their Fore River Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

Well, Campers, we hate to say we told you so....but, we told you so. The MAPC released the audit findings on the Health Impact Assessment today. It isn't pretty. Reader's Digest version? Baker limited the scope, didn't give them enough money, and didn't give them enough time. Surprisingly, the two agencies that did the most damage--the DEP and the DPH--refused to be interviewed by the auditors. Color us shocked. So, you aren't crazy, Friends, the HIA really was terrible and you are not to blame for the health problems created by a DEP and a DPH who care nothing about your environment or your health. Read the report. It's worth the time.

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Enbridge system failure releases 169,000 scf of gas

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Enbridge system failure releases 169,000 scf of gas

At around 9:00 AM today, Enbridge had a systems failure that forced the Emergency Shut Down System (ESD) to be manually tripped by the workers. A gasket on a pump in the one of the separators failed and, as a result, 265,000 standard cubic feet (scf) and 35 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were released at ground level. The release of this level of gas at ground level could have caused a massive fire or explosion. Had the workers not been in the area, we can only conjecture what might have happened. You can read a little bit about the incident here and there is a link to the letter that Enbridge had to file with the Department of Environmental Protection in the article. The DEP then notified the Town.

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Action Alert: More actions to take this week!

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Action Alert: More actions to take this week!

It's been a long couple of weeks, and if you're anything like us, you're tired and aggravated. We hear you and feel the pain with you. We hope that you had a bit of a chance to relax over the long Labor Day Weekend and that maybe you even got to see--socially distancing, of course--family and friends. We hope that, physically and mentally, you got some rest.

But, here we are, back to work after a rather strange summer. Here are a few things that you can do to keep the pressure on Enbridge

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Senator O'Connor sends letter to MassDEP

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Senator O'Connor sends letter to MassDEP

“Today, I submitted a formal comment to the MassDEP to assert my serious concerns with the reapproval of the air quality permit for the Weymouth compressor station.

While the air quality permit irresponsibly moves forward, the issues that Fore River Basin residents and I brought forward years ago have still not been addressed or alleviated by the permitting department or the applicant, Enbridge.” - Senator O’Connor

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RED ALERT! Important News + Action Items

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RED ALERT! Important News + Action Items

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.

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.

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First Circuit Court rescinds vacatur of air quality permit

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First Circuit Court rescinds vacatur of air quality permit

We hate to give you bad news, Campers, but we need you to know that the First Circuit rescinded the air quality permit vacatur late yesterday. Reader's Digest version? Algonquin can petition FERC to turn on the gas as soon as they are done constructing. The Court bought Algonquin's "winter weather" BS hook, line, and sinker. And the Court errs in thinking that Algonquin will have to wait until the BACT remand is completed in January of 2021 in order to give that ole spigot a turn.

What can you do? Comment, comment, and comment, again. Go here for some help on that.

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Take Action: Continue sending comments to MassDEP

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Take Action: Continue sending comments to MassDEP

Action Item: Please submit a comment to MassDEP in response to Enbridge’s air permit.

It’s all very complicated, but we have two ways that you can take action:

  1. Send a message to MassDEP using this Sierra Club AddUP Campaign. It’s quick and easy — just fill out your contact, add a personal note (if you want), and hit sent!

  2. Send a personal email using this email guide. We have prepared a list of possible questions/comments for you to send into the DEP.

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Urgent: Please submit comments to MassDEP on the vacated AQ permit

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Urgent: Please submit comments to MassDEP on the vacated AQ permit

Action Item: Please submit a comment to MassDEP in response to the vacated air permit.

This is very important as we are putting every effort into stopping the nearly finished compressor station from ever operating. Enbridge knows this is likely to be a "stranded asset," and, sadly, one that will be paid for by the gas ratepayers. Please help us to make this a very painful lesson for this greed driven company. Instructions and sample comments are available here. You can also send a message via this Sierra Club AddUP Campaign.

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Take a selfie with our new billboard in Weymouth!

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Take a selfie with our new billboard in Weymouth!

We are back on the block in North Weymouth! We would love to have you all do a "selfie" with our newest sign--the same one that the Governor gets to see digitally on his way to and from work! This is just down the street from the Sunnyside Up Cafe (northbound side of 3A but viewing is southbound) and there is a parking lot that you can pull into and safely do a nice picture.

Any of you who would like your picture posted here, please send us a copy and a note of what you might like to say to Governor Gas--no swearing! Email us at nocompressor@gmail.com.

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FRRACS and allies visit Gov. Baker

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Photo Credit: Families Against Enbridge

Photo Credit: Families Against Enbridge

This weekend we paid Governor Baker a friendly visit in Swampscott. Since he refuses to come to Weymouth, we decided to go to him! Holding a banner that reads, “‘Climate Champions’ Don’t Approve New Fracked Gas Facilities”, concerned community members reminded Governor Baker that we are not giving up the fight. With gas projects proposed all over the state, we know that this fight goes beyond Weymouth.

Many thanks to all of our friends who stood out in the heat with us for 3 days. We couldn’t do this without you.

Below is our statement for the action:

The Fore River Residents and their allies have spent five and a half years attempting to get the attention of Governor Baker. Every email, phone call, and letter has been ignored or met with the derision of the Governor. A 200 day sit-in at his office ended with the Governor never officially meeting with the woman who only wanted to explain to him why this compressor station was so dangerous to the residents of the Fore River Basin. Instead, upon cornering him in an elevator, his only response was, "You have been so brutal to me, I have nothing to say to you." So we're peacefully bringing the message, yet again, directly to the Governor. Perhaps he will see us as he has his morning coffee or when he leaves for work or other obligations. We are exhausted after all of these years of asking--begging--for a safety and risk assessment, an appropriate environmental review, or an in-person visit by the one person who could have stopped this abomination to show him why this was such a bad idea. As the banner points out, climate champions don't approve multiple fracked gas projects. And decent governors don't ignore the pleas of their constituents.

"No More Compressors" song by Dan Brielmann

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"No More Compressors" song by Dan Brielmann

It's challenging to witness the destruction that Enbridge Gas has caused, not just in Weymouth, but all over. But what brings us solace is our amazing community. Over the past 5 and half years, an incredibly strong community has come together, both near and far, to organize for a better future.

The song "No More Compressors", by Dan Brielmann of e-Awakening, captures many of our emotions. Listen for yourself! And know that we will always keep fighting.

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PIP Meeting Recap Part 2

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PIP Meeting Recap Part 2

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the 3+hour(!) virtual PIP meeting with TRC. Though we weren’t surprised, we were disappointed that TRC once again stifled public involvement during this public meeting. If you missed the meeting, or would like to view it again, you can access it here. We should note that they posted the recording the same days that are comments are due, which is today. We asked for extension for the comment period and they denied our request.

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PIP Video + Comments due today!

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PIP Video + Comments due today!

The recording of last week's PIP meeting is officially online. If you missed the meeting or would like to re-watch it, click here. You will have to register to access the viewing.

And a last minute reminder that public comments are due TODAY! Written comments can be sent to James Doherty: WeymouthCompressorStation@trccompanies.com.

We find it frustrating that TRC posted the video the same day that comments are due. They have denied our request for an extension, so please, if you can, send a comment today. Sample comments are available here.

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