Many of you may already be quite aware that the Town of Weymouth, under the direction of Mayor Hedlund, has accepted a payout of $10M in exchange for dropping all legal actions against Algonquin/Enbridge in regards to the compressor station. To say that we are disappointed is likely the understatement of the year. You can read about the Town's decision here.

Today marked not only Halloween but a full moon, a Blue Moon, Samhain, and All Saints Day. We celebrated with a display of Jack-o’-lanterns in the park and a standout on the bridge. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

We wrote to the Mayor back in April regarding the $10M. You can read the letter here. We were told that many of our demands for any contract were written into the one ultimately signed. But, we never agreed that this was a good idea, and we are certain that Enbridge did not submit to insurance coverage or safety review. This is a bad deal all around. You can read the contract here. Hang tough, Campers. It ain't over.

The Town of Weymouth, under the direction of Mayor Hedlund, accepted a payout of $10M from Enbridge in exchange for dropping all appeals. We are deeply disappointed with this decision, You can read the full contract that the Town signed with Algonquin/Enbridge here.

Mayor Hedlund announced today that he has accepted $10 million in hush money from Enbridge. We are disappointed with the Mayor’s decision. We are calling on the community to voice their disapproval of the Town of Weymouth dropping their legal battle with Enbridge in return for $10M. You can read our full press statement below. More on the story from The Patriot Ledger.

The safety and evacuation plan for the compressor station is available here. We believe that this plan is weak and that our town emergency departments are not well-equipped to handle an explosion or serious accident at the compressor station.

The Environmental Subcommittee of the Town Council met to discuss the plan. You can watch a recording of the meeting here.

Another correspondence to Sen. O'Connor and the delegation in response to their letter to the AG regarding violations of EJ notification regulations by the DEP and concerns regarding the continued overburdening of EJ communities like the Basin.

Mi'kmaq treaty rights are being threatened as Mi'kmaq fishers are being met with violence. Follow the link below for ways that you can support Mi'kmaq fishers and their families.

Follow the Sipekne'katik Moderate Livelihood Fishery page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/Sipeknekatik-Moderate-Livelihood-Fishery-114604753725379

Google doc with ways to support: https://docs.google.com/.../1u_LF_bCFBbSijzqJgHNh4.../edit

South Shore legislators sent a letter to MassDEP in September after Enbridge’s compressor station had multiple system failures. Commissioner Martin Suuberg of MassDEP responded to their letter today. Of course, the usual--nothing to see here, move along. As we await the investigative report on the two accidents in September, do not be surprised if these same organizations rubber stamp the start up of the compressor within the next days or weeks.

Looking for an overview of the compressor station fight? WBUR has updated their reporting of the compressor station to include the two recent accidents. Many thanks to WBUR for continuing to report. You can read the full article here.

We’ve said it before and we will say again: this compressor station poses a serious safety risk. It’s not a matter of if, but when. After two emergency shutdowns in less than 3 weeks, Enbridge’s compressor station official start-up date has been delayed. Congressman Lynch is urging FERC to revoke their approval of the compressor station, citing the recent failures at the facility. Congressman Lynch also said that the FBI has been asked to look into possible cyber security issues. If you ask us, we think Enbridge cut corners while rushing to construct the compressor station. You can read more from the Weymouth News here and State House News Service here.

The Red Rebels, an international performance group dedicated to highlighting the global climate crisis, visited the North Parcel today. They walked in a silent procession past the compressor station, on the Fore River Bridge, and through Kings Cove Park. It was beautiful and powerful procession. Many thanks to the Red Rebels for visiting us today!

You can watch a video of the procession here and here.

What a week it has been. Just when you think it can’t get more crazy, it does! Below is a recap of the events that have transpired over the past week. This post is a bit long, but we hope you find it informative and helpful. Stick with us, friends!

Beautiful day on the bridge today with so many of our wonderful friends. We stood out on the Fore River Bridge today as it was supposed to be Enbridge’s first day of operation. They had to delay their startup plans after proving what we’ve been saying for years: this facility is not safe.

We decided to still hold the standout because we want Enbridge to know that we aren’t giving up the fight.

PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) issued a Corrective Action Order to Enbridge after their compressor station had a second systems failure in less than 3 weeks. This is serious stuff, Campers. Really serious--for Enbridge. Definitely worth the read.

Many thanks to our ever vigilant attorney, Michael Hayden, for pulling this off the PHMSA site. You can read the full COA here.

Small win today! Enbridge had planned to put their compressor station into service today, October 1, but has since delayed their plans due to two recent safety issues involving emergency shutdowns. PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) issued a stay on operations until a safety investigation has been completed.

Well, look at what you can dig up if you keep digging! Kudos to Anita of Braintree for finding this little gem. Seems in 2008 that there was a conference about siting renewable energy projects--and the idiots in charge considered gas to be renewable--on CONTAMINATED sites. And guess who was in attendance at this little confab? Our friend Thomas Cushing of the DEP. You know, the guy who approved the air quality permit.

Nothing to see here. Move along. You are too stupid to understand what we are doing, says Enbridge. Not operational, two accidents in two weeks--but FERC says go ahead and fully operate TOMORROW. And, where is PHMSA? Where is FERC? Where is our local emergency management system?

WBUR - Second 'Unplanned' Gas Release At Weymouth Compressor This Month (link)

Many thanks to Congressman Lynch for alerting us. The community didn’t even know.

Senators Markey and Warren sent a letter to PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration), urging them to shut down activities and to investigate the emergency shut down that occurred on September 11. We thanks Senators Markey and Warren for continuing to advocate on behalf of the residents of the South Shore. You can read their press release and letter to PHMSA below.

Back in June, the First Circuit Court vacated Enbridge’s air quality permit, stating that Enbridge had not properly reviewed the BACT (best available control technology) analysis for a gas vs. electric turbine for the compressor station. (You can read the First Circuit court’s June 3 decision here.) An electric turbine would be better than a gas turbine, but Enbridge did not do the proper analysis on this during during the application process. The First Circuit handed the issue off to DEP to review and make a decision on. Well, the DEP’s decision is in, and as you may have guessed, they gave Enbridge the go-ahead on the BACT and is saying that the gas turbine is fine with them. We aren’t surprised, but we are disappointed.