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Mayor Hedlund's Testimony before the Energy Facilities Siting Board, May 11

Scoping meeting held at Abigail Adams Middle School to take public comments on Access Northeast Project.
Posted on: May 15, 2016 - 1:58pm

Weymouth, MA - Algonquin Natural Gas Transmission L.L.C. has proposed to construct new natural gas pipelines and related facilities in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.  The facilities would comprise the Access Northeast Project.  Proposed facilities in Massachusetts include an I-8 loop gas compressor on the Weymouth Fore River.    

The Access Northeast Project is currently being reviewed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in what is called the Pre-Filing Process, docket number PF16-1.  FERC will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.  The EIS will be used by FERC to consider the environmental impacts that could result if it approves the Project. 

The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board participates in FERC proceedings involving natural gas pipelines in order to represent the interests of the Commonwealth and its residents.  On May 11, the Siting Board held a scoping meeting at the Abigail Adams Middle School of Weymouth to define and refine the scope of the Project’s EIS.   One of the main purposes of a formal scoping meeting is so the members of the public get an opportunity to speak their concerns.  During this meeting, Mayor Robert Hedlund testified in opposition to the Access Northeast Project.  Click here for the Mayor’s testimony. 

The Siting Board will accept written comments concerning the Access Northeast Project.  Comments should be sent by email to BOTH robert.j.shea@state.ma.us and dpu.efiling@state.ma.us or by U.S. mail to: Energy Facilities Siting Board, One South Station, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Robert Shea, Presiding Officer.  The comments should be sent to the Siting Board by May 20, 2016.  The Siting Board will use the comments it receives, whether oral or written, in drafting a comment letter on the Project to FERC.