A new $90M Gas Pipeline through Sharon?!
There is widespread agreement among scientists, gas experts, legislators, and the climate advocacy community that it is essential that our energy system transition as quickly as possible away from fossil fuels to the use of renewable energy sources. Despite this, utility companies continue to call for replacement and expansion of their existing infrastructure of pipelines, and ongoing reliance on gas. Massachusetts utilities face opposition to their plans to invest further in their gas distribution systems, rather than reconfiguring their businesses to help the Commonwealth achieve net-zero emissions (references: Gas Transition Allies; Commonwealth Magazine 4/26/22).
One such proposal impacts our community. Eversource Gas Company is proposing to build a new 20-mile pipeline from Sharon to Brockton. Sustainable Sharon Coalition (SSC) is monitoring the plans and preparing for likely public meetings and governmental reviews.
Eversource’s proposed project, "Sharon Gate to Brockton 265 # Line Reliability," is a project “to ensure systems meet or exceed minimum reliability criteria,” one of many projects in the company’s major filing to the MA Department of Public Utilities submitted September 1, 2021. The company’s full Plan calls for spending $860M through 2028, addressing issues throughout the state in multiple Areas of Focus. The “Sharon Gate” project is one of the larger ones, with a capital budget forecast of more than $90M to be spent from 2023-2026. (Detailed complete 2021 Eversource submission here; see pg. 62 ff for “Area of Focus #11: System Reliability and Resiliency” with Sharon-Brockton pipeline.)
Early in 2022, Eversource provided further information:
“... a 20-mile pipeline from the Sharon Gate Station to the Brockton Gate Station to provide a second source of gas to the seacoast area (the “Sharon to Brockton Connector”). Importantly, the Sharon to Brockton Connector will be able to work both directions, supplying gas to both the Sharon Gate Station and the Brockton Gate Station in the event of a contingency during winter peak periods. The Sharon to Brockton Connector would interconnect these two stations, providing alternative sources of supply to customers at both stations, that are currently at risk. The Sharon to Brockton Connector would provide resiliency and ensure supply to approximately 95,000 customer meters.”
In its most recent 6-month progress reports (September 2023 and March 1, 2024), Eversource states that “Implementation plans associated with this Area of Focus [11. System Reliability and Resiliency] are on track and progressing according to schedule. … Generally, the outlook for these implementation plans is that they will continue to progress according to plan and schedule.”
The other major project in the same Area of Focus as the Sharon-Brockton proposal is the Western Mass Reliability Project. This project is further along in its planning: public meetings were held in late 2021. Local opposition to a new pipeline in Western MA has been expressed by community groups, legislators, Longmeadow’s Select Board, and others; watch this short video. Concerns include the questionable need for the project, impacts on the towns’ resources, disruptions during and after construction, and the disconnect between this project and the state’s climate and energy goals. As of March 2024, the project is on hold as Eversource awaits Energy Facilities Siting Board determination.
For more information, check this space and Sustainable Sharon Coalition’s Facebook Page.
