Wicked Local Weymouth - Lynch Demands Halt to Spectra Pipeline Construction

News Article

By Ed Baker

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, D-Boston is calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC to halt the permitting process and construction for the proposed Spectra pipelines in Weymouth and West Roxbury following a pipeline explosion in Alabama on Monday, Oct. 31 that killed one worker and injured five others.

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (D-Boston) is calling on FERC to halt the permitting process and construction for the proposed Spectra pipelines in Weymouth and West Roxbury following a pipeline explosion in Alabama on Monday, Oct. 31 that killed one worker and injured five others.

Lynch stated his concerns about public safety risks posed by having natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas in a letter to FERC Chairman Norman Bay.

"I am deeply concerned about this week's tragic pipeline explosion in Alabama and I believe that FERC needs to take action to ensure that proper safety measures are in place to protect local communities from the dangers of these pipelines," Lynch stated. "We are witnessing significant damage from pipeline incidents in more remote areas across the country. In the wake of these accidents, it is unimaginable that FERC would proceed with approval for pipelines in more densely populated areas."

Lynch said there have been more than 220 pipeline incidents in 2016, according to the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The statement from Lynch's office also noted a natural gas pipeline operated by Spectra Energy in Salem, Pa. exploded, injuring one person and damaging two homes in April.

"We have told FERC repeatedly that placing a natural gas pipeline in an active quarry blast zone, like West Roxbury, or in an industrial area with densely populated neighborhoods nearby, as is the case in Weymouth, are serious public safety risks," Lynch said. "If a similar explosion took place in West Roxbury or Weymouth, we could expect mass casualties and I strongly oppose taking those risks."

Spectra is proposing to place a natural gas pipeline that will extend through various eastern Massachusetts communities and it includes a planned hookup to a connection in Pond Meadow Park in Braintree.

This 4.3-mile connection would then be linked to a proposed compressor station that Spectra Energy plans to build in the Fore River basin.

Opposition to the proposed compressor station and a pipeline from residents and town officials has been fierce during public hearings held by FERC and the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board.

The conservation commission, on May 25, unanimously declined to issue an order of conditions to Spectra to construct the proposed compressor station.

Commissioners cited concerns about a potential explosion at the proposed site and how it would impact the Fore River and the air in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Most of the concerns voiced by residents have been about noise, potential gas leaks and toxins affecting marine life in the Fore River Bay.

Spectra has appealed the commission's decision to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

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