Feds to take second look at Weymouth gas compressor approval

Federal regulators are taking another look at their earlier approval of the controversial Weymouth compressor station, giving opponents “hope” they may still be able block the natural gas project following two emergency shutdowns at the site last fall.

“We’re really far along into this process, but for the first time in a long time, we have hope that we can block this project,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor.

The Weymouth Republican said he and members of the state’s federal delegation have been upping the pressure on federal regulators to take a closer look at the project he says they “rubber stamped” without appropriate concern for the public safety issues raised by the community.

Last Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced that it established a paper briefing process to “further examine public safety concerns associated with the operation of the Weymouth Compressor Station.”

Regulators are looking for answers to five questions: Is the facility consistent with FERC’s Natural Gas Act? Should the station’s projected emissions and public safety impacts warrant re-examination? What are the impacts to surrounding communities including environmental justice populations in the Fore River Basin? Should FERC impose additional mitigation measures? What consequences would come from staying or reversing FERC’s Sept. 24 authorization allowing the facility to start operations?

Initial briefs will be due in 45 days, and reply briefs are due another 30 days later. Enbridge and its subsidiary Algonquin Gas Transmission will still be allowed to operate the station during the review period.

“This fight is absolutely ongoing,” O’Connor said, but he noted it would be “unprecedented” for the committee to vacate its prior approvals.

The facility has drawn substantial opposition from Weymouth and the other communities that make up the Fore River Basin for six years since energy giant Enbridge first publicized its plans for the compressor station.

On Sept. 24 — in between two different emergency shutdowns triggered at the Fore River facility — FERC gave Enbridge permission to put the station into service.

“Since then, the Commission has received numerous pleadings expressing concerns about public safety and air emissions impacts from the station’s continued operation,” FERC said in its release announcing the review.

The company in a statement said, “The Atlantic Bridge project was extensively and thoroughly reviewed by FERC and other agencies as part of a transparent and inclusive public permitting process. … The in-service authorization previously received from FERC for the Weymouth Compressor Station remains valid, and we remain committed to continuing to operate the compressor station safely and responsibly.”

— State House News Service contributed to this report.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3pNa3Zm