NOVEMBER 10TH BOSTON PUBLIC HEARING DATE:
KINDER MORGAN’S SANDISFIELD ARTICLE 97 LAND BILL
This legislation was sponsored by State Representative Garrett Bradley (D- Hingham) at the request of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. It is necessary to advance their proposed Connecticut Expansion Project (CT Expansion), as passage of this legislation would secure access and easements to state-owned, public conservation lands in Sandisfield. Those who do not support H. 3690 want to urge the Committee to keep the bill from advancing, by either placing it into a study order, or preferably, giving it an adverse recommendation.
There are three ways you can take action - do any one, or all three!
» Minimum Action - Click and send your objection
» Medium Action - Send in testimony in your own words
» Maximum Action:
Hit the road for Boston! Come to the rally and hearing
»» Read the text of bill - H3690
» Read press from his own district about Rep. Bradley and his filing of this bill
TTOR gathers support and speaks out on Article 97 Bill
Trustees of Reservations leads over 60 land trust, conservation and other organizations send objection to disposition of Article 97 land for pipelines
» Read the letter
Kinder Morgan "Community Forums" well met by opposition in compressor station towns
Kinder Morgan recently held Open House style Community Forums in Windsor, Northfield and Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Attendance by residents opposing the pipeline was high in both Windsor and Northfield, with both locations hosting presentations by local organizations. One surprise was finding that Jack Murray, former DCR Commissioner, is now working for Kinder Morgan's PR Team. He was engaged in conversation with locals at both the Northfield and Lynnfield events about his overlaps in his former and current positions. Although Kinder Morgan hired local and state law enforcement for security,
» Read About Windsor's Community Forum
» Read About Northfield Community Forum
ONE MORE COMMUNITY FORUM SCHEDULED:
THURSDAY — NOVEMBER 5, 2015 — DRACUT MA
— Kinder Morgan “Community Forum” Open House – Added to the schedule due to a change in compressor station location. Info-tables and displays, one on one conversation with Kinder Morgan staff and “compressor station experts”. Light buffet will be served. Landowners will receive notification of the community forums in the mail, and ads will be placed in local newspapers to inform the general public.
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Four Oaks Country Club
1 Clubhouse Lane
Dracut, MA
Prepare to intervene in Northeast Energy Direct's application process
 Kinder Morgan's intended date for filing its formal application with FERC is November 20, 2015. Within 10 days, FERC must decide whether the application can be accepted. Once it is and a new Docket number is assigned, this starts the 21 day period during which stakeholders may file a Motion to Intervene. You cannot file the Motion to Intervene until this period starts.
Although it's a fairly simple process for individuals, this date will fall during the busy holiday season. Municipalities should also be preparing to intervene, and this process may take longer, needing to clear possible committee decisions on wording, so preparing statements early is highly advisable.
» Learn more about how to file
PUBLIC MEETING - VERNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
6:00 PM - NOVEMBER 10, 2015
Vernon, VT to weigh in on proposed natural gas plant near Vermont Yankee site
OCT. 22, 2015 BY MIKE FAHER
 VERNON, VT – Town residents soon will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed natural gas power plant that could be constructed near Vermont Yankee. A public meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 10 at Vernon Elementary School. The Vernon Planning Commission, which is hosting the session, will notify residents via flier of the meeting start time, which will be 6:00 p.m. Officials say a strong turnout at the meeting would help them determine where residents stand on the new industrial project. But they say residents shouldn’t expect detailed site plans for the gas plant, given that the project is still in the early stages.
The idea is that a Vernon plant could tie into the proposed Kinder Morgan Northeast Energy Direct gas pipeline that may run through neighboring Massachusetts. Many details are not yet clear. Don Campbell, a Winhall resident with utility finance experience, has said he is working to assemble a “first tier” development team for a Vernon plant but also said he cannot yet disclose specifics. Likewise, no plant site has been publicly proposed.
Last month, Campbell said there were “four or five sites under consideration.” At the same time, though, officials worry that they have to seize the moment: Kinder Morgan is expected to soon file a license application for the Northeast Energy Direct pipeline with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
» Read more
Area residents from Vernon, Brattleboro and the wider tri-state area are encouraged to attend to listen and voice concerns early on this project.
Most Significant Barrier For Pipeline Construction:
 Protests!
The Black and Veatch survey of the gas industry, 2015 Strategic Directions: U.S. Natural Gas Industry Report, found: “Respondents felt the most significant barrier associated with the construction of new pipelines was delays caused by opposition groups.”
According to the report, the expansion of pipelines is “not without challenges. Regulatory authorization wait times and limits on capital recovery along with entrenched opposition from environmental and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) present challenges to the successful execution of projects.” (Page 16).
The gas industry sees “Activists Engage Regulators and Industy” this is causing them problems.
In particular, environmental groups opposed to increased supply from shale gas production have tried to disrupt FERC pipeline proposal meetings through mounting protests and social media campaigns. This creates additional hurdles for maintaining project timelines and has the potential to derail pipeline projects because of rising development costs and missing key milestones in contract obligations.
» Read more
» Read the Black and Veatch study “2015 Strategic Directions”
This is a very informative read, with extensive analysis of industry obstacles and strategy.
» ONGOING ACTIONS
Now includes daily and weekly events for the Spectra pipeline fight as well.
» EVENTS ON NO FRACKED GAS IN MASS
SUNDAY — NOVEMBER 22, 2015 — W. CUMMINGTON, MA
— Singing Bridge Music Festival / No Fracked Gas in Mass Fundraiser. Enjoy an afternoon and evening of homemade pizza, potluck foods and great local music from the Gaia Star Goddess Band and a host of other artists.
3:00 p.m.
Singing Bridge Performing Arts Lodge
West Main Street
West Cummington, MA
Three Ways To Donate!
 If you've already given
Thank you!
Consider making a donation in someone's name for the holidays.
No Fracked Gas in Mass is a program of Berkshire Environmental Action Team and donations made through our GoFundMe Victory Fund , through our direct online Donation button or mailed in check are tax deductible!
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