What is this pipeline project all about?
The “Access Northeast” Project will expand Spectra Energy’s Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline, and includes a proposed high-pressure 30-inch gas pipeline that will run through ten towns in Massachusetts: Milford, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Franklin, Norfolk, Walpole, Sharon, Stoughton, and Canton.
Loop extension that includes Sharon, among other towns.
We don’t think this pipeline is in the public interest and here’s why:
- Gas pipelines are dangerous.
- Fracked gas is packed into the pipelines at high pressure, increasing the likelihood of leaks, ruptures and/or explosions. Major effects of these accidents vary from injuries and sustained fire to environmental contamination and health impacts from volatile chemicals. Watch video below.
- Fracked gas is packed into the pipelines at high pressure, increasing the likelihood of leaks, ruptures and/or explosions. Major effects of these accidents vary from injuries and sustained fire to environmental contamination and health impacts from volatile chemicals. Watch video below.
- There are hundreds of hazardous chemicals involved.
- There are over 600 chemicals used in the process of fracking gas, including EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals), known carcinogens and neurotoxins.
- Chemicals contained in the gas traveling through pipelines are known to off-gas at compressor stations.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending we use less natural gas because of the health risks it poses to children through its contribution to climate change.
- Natural gas (which is mostly methane) contributes to global warming.
- Massachusetts has passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which calls for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- This is a $3 billion dollar project that will be paid for through surcharges on residential electric bills.
- $3 billion could be spent on clean energy solutions, like solar panels and wind turbines.
Why does Spectra want to build the Northeast Access Pipeline?
- Spectra wants to provide more capacity to New England during the winter, but there is extra gas capacity in the summer, which could be stored for use in the winter.
- We managed supplies successfully during the exceptionally cold winter of 2014-15.
- MA Attorney General Maura Healey says state can meet energy needs without new pipelines. Click here to read article.
- With this expansion project, Spectra will have the ability to connect the Algonquin pipeline to the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline, and export gas from Canadian LNG terminals.
- Exporting gas is projected to cause regional gas prices to rise to international levels.