State review of proposed compressor station pushed back six months
By
Jessica Trufant
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Aug 2, 2017 at 6:16 PM
Updated Aug 2, 2017 at 6:26 PM
The state Office of Coastal Zone Management was scheduled this month
to begin its review of a 7,700-horsepower compressor station proposed by
Algonquin Gas Transmission, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy-Enbridge.
But in a letter dated Tuesday to an official of Algonquin Gas Transmission, Robert Boeri, project review coordinator for the state agency, outlined additional information it needs before it can fully vet the proposal.
“In our review of the materials in our federal consistency review file for the proposed compressor station, we have concluded that additional information is necessary to complete our review of the proposed project’s consistency with enforceable program policies of the Massachusetts coastal management program,” wrote Boeri.
Last August, Algonquin Gas Transmission agreed to extend the review period to Aug. 3, 2017, with a decision to be made 20 days later, at the request of the state. The office requested the delay because Algonquin hadn’t yet obtained a state license it needs to be able to build the compressor station.
The state proposed postponing the start of the 20-day review again by six months until Feb. 2, 2018.
Spectra spokeswoman Marylee Hanley said in an email Wednesday that Algonquin Gas Transmission will agree to state’s request for a six-month stay.
Compressor stations are placed along pipelines to maintain pressure and keep the natural gas flowing. Residents and officials in Weymouth, Quincy and Braintree fear that the plant would vent toxic pollution and that it could explode, causing havoc in the densely populated neighborhood.
Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund said he believes the state is taking a closer look at the proposal due to the town’s opposition, including appealing wetlands and waterways permits issued by the state.
“Remember the natural gas company’s plans were to start construction last March and start operations this November,” Hedlund wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. “Our fight together pushed those plans back at least a year and maybe permanently.”
Hedlund also credited Gov. Charlie Baker for directing state agencies
to investigate issues that opponents have raised about the
controversial project, including air pollution and public safety.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Pipeline Commission has ultimate authority over interstate pipelines, but the project must adhere to some federal laws that are administered at the state level. In January, the commission issued a conditional certificate for Algonquin Gas Transmission to build a 7,700-horsepower compressor station on the banks of the Fore River.
While local, state and federal officials came out against the project long ago, Baker had failed to take a stance either way, saying only that the state plays a small role in the permitting process.
Baker notified Weymouth officials last month that he ordered the state’s environmental protection and public health departments to assess how the station would affect air quality and community health.
He said the state won’t issue any more permits until the assessment has been completed.
In the letter sent Tuesday, Boeri said the state needs information on how Algonquin Gas Transmission plans to mitigate coastal hazards, such as inundation during hurricanes, and justification for why the company doesn’t feel it needs to provide public access to the site, and how, then, it will enhance public access nearby. Lastly, the agency said it plans to send a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to discuss whether further analysis and risk assessment is necessary.
Jessica Trufant may be reached at jtrufant@ledger.com.
But in a letter dated Tuesday to an official of Algonquin Gas Transmission, Robert Boeri, project review coordinator for the state agency, outlined additional information it needs before it can fully vet the proposal.
“In our review of the materials in our federal consistency review file for the proposed compressor station, we have concluded that additional information is necessary to complete our review of the proposed project’s consistency with enforceable program policies of the Massachusetts coastal management program,” wrote Boeri.
Last August, Algonquin Gas Transmission agreed to extend the review period to Aug. 3, 2017, with a decision to be made 20 days later, at the request of the state. The office requested the delay because Algonquin hadn’t yet obtained a state license it needs to be able to build the compressor station.
The state proposed postponing the start of the 20-day review again by six months until Feb. 2, 2018.
Spectra spokeswoman Marylee Hanley said in an email Wednesday that Algonquin Gas Transmission will agree to state’s request for a six-month stay.
Compressor stations are placed along pipelines to maintain pressure and keep the natural gas flowing. Residents and officials in Weymouth, Quincy and Braintree fear that the plant would vent toxic pollution and that it could explode, causing havoc in the densely populated neighborhood.
Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund said he believes the state is taking a closer look at the proposal due to the town’s opposition, including appealing wetlands and waterways permits issued by the state.
“Remember the natural gas company’s plans were to start construction last March and start operations this November,” Hedlund wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. “Our fight together pushed those plans back at least a year and maybe permanently.”
The Federal Energy Regulatory Pipeline Commission has ultimate authority over interstate pipelines, but the project must adhere to some federal laws that are administered at the state level. In January, the commission issued a conditional certificate for Algonquin Gas Transmission to build a 7,700-horsepower compressor station on the banks of the Fore River.
While local, state and federal officials came out against the project long ago, Baker had failed to take a stance either way, saying only that the state plays a small role in the permitting process.
Baker notified Weymouth officials last month that he ordered the state’s environmental protection and public health departments to assess how the station would affect air quality and community health.
He said the state won’t issue any more permits until the assessment has been completed.
In the letter sent Tuesday, Boeri said the state needs information on how Algonquin Gas Transmission plans to mitigate coastal hazards, such as inundation during hurricanes, and justification for why the company doesn’t feel it needs to provide public access to the site, and how, then, it will enhance public access nearby. Lastly, the agency said it plans to send a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to discuss whether further analysis and risk assessment is necessary.
Jessica Trufant may be reached at jtrufant@ledger.com.
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