Spectra Gas Wants Pipeline Thru Sharon & Surrounding Towns

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.
    

• 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.

For more information, please visit www.nosharongaspipeline.org