A controversial proposal to build a natural gas compressor station on the banks of the Fore River in Weymouth cleared a final regulatory hurdle on Tuesday.
The state office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) approved a permit for the project, which has been bitterly opposed by community and environmental activists, as well as many elected officials.
"Based upon our review of applicable information, we concur with your certification and find that the activity as proposed is consistent with the CZM enforceable program policies," CZM director Lisa Berry Engler wrote in a letter approving the project.
Opponents have contended that the natural gas compressor station will emit a range of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals in a community that’s already overburdened by environmental hazards.
Margaret Bellafiore of the advocacy group Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station noted that while the CZM decision can't be appealed, appeals are still pending on other permits needed for the final approval of the station.
"This is not a done deal and ... we are going to continue to fight. And by all means necessary," Bellafiore said. She said members of her group met with Engler and others from CZM last Tuesday.
"The response was almost a sheepish silence. They did not respond," she said. "So with that, we were kind of prepared for this consistency review that came down today."
Bellafiore said she believes that CZM policy is to not grant permits for facilities along the coast unless it's water-dependent, and cited "six other land-locked sites that were alternatives."
"There's no reason that it has to be on the coast," she said.
In an emailed statement to WGBH News, Max Bergeron, a spokesperson for Enbridge — the company behind the project — said they were pleased with the CZM's decision and that the project "will be constructed, operated, and maintained to meet or exceed applicable safety and environmental standards and regulations."
"The proposed Weymouth compressor station is required to help us serve the needs of the Atlantic Bridge project customers located generally north of Weymouth, including local gas utilities in Maine and Atlantic Canada," Bergeron said. "In certain cases, greater access to natural gas helps replace more carbon-intensive and more expensive sources of energy, helping consumers realize environmental benefits and cost savings."
In a written statement, spokesperson Katie Gronendyke of the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said the CZM determined the project is "consistent with the policies of the Commonwealth’s federally approved coastal management program."
"As part of this review, the project proponent was required to demonstrate consistency with these policies, provide extensive information on the project, and provide additional supplemental information on how the project may impact public access, operate within the designated port area, and be designed for, and resilient to, future conditions relating to storms and sea level rise," Gronendyke said.
The project is opposed by Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund, who wrote a letter to the CZM director asking for additional review of the project because of recent disclosures that two companies contracted to buy natural gas that would go through the station — New England NG Supply Limited and Enbridge — have said they no longer need the natural gas.
"I am very disappointed CZM approved this project without any consideration of recent changes dramatically reducing the need for the project," Hedlund said in a written statement Tuesday. "Buyers of this additional natural gas are running from it. While government is approving the project, the market is telling us it is no longer needed. By the time all permits and appeals are done, few will actually buy the natural gas. We will end up with a $100 million white elephant on the Fore River waterfront whose costs will then be passed on to rate payers."
In her statement, EEA spokesperson Katie Gronendyke addressed that issue. "Today’s consistency decision does not weigh the necessity of additional gas infrastructure, a decision that is made through the [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] certificate,” she said.
The proposed project has been opposed by both of the state's U.S. senators. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren introduced legislation in October that would block construction of compressor stations built for the purpose of exporting natural gas abroad.
“No compressor station should be built in Weymouth or any of our communities – where it would threaten the safety of our residents and harm our environment – just to support our continued addiction to fossil fuels,” Markey said in a statement. “The fight to stop this project is not over, as the battle to block construction of this station will move to the courts. ... These communities have nothing to gain and everything to lose if this compressor station gets built.”
"It is completely unacceptable that the concerns mothers have for their children can be so easily swept aside," said Carol Chamberlain of the environmental advocacy group Mothers Out Front, in a written statement. "We oppose this compressor station not just for the children who will ultimately have to live with toxic emissions for the rest of their lives, but for all children whose futures will be irreparably damaged by continued fracked gas and fossil fuel development.”
