Letter to Steve Grossman, Massachusetts State Treasurer

Letter

Senator John Kerry, Congressman Barney Frank and Congressman Jim McGovern today released a jointly-written letter to Steve Grossman, Massachusetts State Treasurer, asking him to investigate "the possibility of divesting all shares of Hess Corporation stock the Commonwealth currently holds until such time as that company ceases to support the ill-conceived construction of a Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) facility in Fall River, MA."

The three members of the Massachusetts delegation have long fought to prevent the siting of an LNG on the Weaver's Cove site in Fall River.

The letter states that "for nearly ten years, Hess has pursued a course of action that is in direct opposition to the stated wishes of the city of Fall River and its residents forcing them to spend a considerable amount of time and money trying to protect themselves from this divisive project."

A copy of the letter is below:

Dear Treasurer Grossman,

We are writing to ask that you look at the possibility of divesting all shares of Hess Corporation stock the Commonwealth currently holds until such time as that company ceases to support the ill-conceived construction of a Liquid Natural Gas facility in Fall River, Massachusetts. As you know, the city of Fall River, along with its state and federal elected officials, has opposed this project from the very beginning due to its threat to national safety, navigational concerns raised by the U.S. Coast Guard and numerous environmental and security issues that would be inherent with its operation. Subsequent proposals to pump in natural gas from an off-site hook up are untested and pose the same types of risk to people and the environment as those proposals that bring liquid gas in by tanker.

We have long supported the siting of LNG activities through a long-vetted regional approach that would provide for natural gas in a responsible way and not needlessly endanger the lives of human beings or the environment through irresponsible siting and construction. It is time the Hess Corporation looks to partner with the US Government in a constructive manner that will benefit both the company and its consumers without unduly compromising the safety of the population they are intending to serve. For nearly ten years, Hess has pursued a course of action that is in direct opposition to the stated wishes of the city of Fall River and its residents, forcing them to spend a considerable amount of time and money trying to protect themselves from this divisive project.

It is time for the Commonwealth to focus its attention on companies whose LNG proposals do not adversely affect citizens or purposely ignore the numerous concerns that now plague the the Weaver's Cove project. Therefore, it is important that your office support the citizens of this city and state and consider taking action that will show the Hess Corporation that their proposal to place a LNG facility at Weaver's Cove in Fall Rivers is not only impractical and poorly planned, but will not be supported by the government of Fall River.

Sincerely,

Senator John F. Kerry
Congressman Barney Frank
Congressman James McGovern

Source