MA Pipeline Company Moves Forward with Fed Filing Despite Strong Opposition
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Kinder Morgan – the company that has proposed the gas pipeline project that if passed, will cut through the northern part of Massachusetts – is hoping that pre-filing with FERC will be the first step in a process ultimately allowing for them to move forward with implanting the gas pipeline.
“Affected landowners, concerned citizens, nonprofits and officials at all levels of government have networked with allies across the Northeast, piecing together a picture of just what Kinder Morgan is after the company seeks survey permission from landowners,” said Katy Eiseman, Director & Legal Liaison of MassPLAN. “Kinder Morgan most immediately wants information it can use to convince federal regulators that its proposed Northeast Energy Direct project deserves a ‘certificate of public convenience and necessity.’”
If their application with FERC is approved, Kinder Morgan will have eminent domain for their pipeline project, meaning that they could take land for the project without needing approval from the landowner.
Statewide Questions
Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Maeve Vallely Bartlett recently sent a letter to FERC, stating that she would like to see FERC consult with the Commonwealth’s Energy Facilities Siting Board to ensure that there is an outreach period where the public can meaningfully offer up their input on the project.
Barlett, in her letter, says that she is unsure as to the full scope of the need for additional gas, calling for a full analysis of the need for this additional gas, as well as the impact the project will have on the environment. Additionally, Barlett would like to see if the pipeline can be routed in another way to minimize the impact to important natural resources.
Bringing Needed Gas to the State
According to Kinder Morgan, this gas pipeline is a much-needed addition to New England’s gas supply, a project that will ultimately create jobs and bring much needed natural gas to the state and elsewhere.
By pre-filing with FERC, Kinder Morgan has started a process that will help them stick to their original goal of implementing the pipeline by November of 2018. Kinder Morgan spokesperson Richard Wheatley also says that by pre-filing, the company will have even more direct communication with stakeholders of the proposal.
"The NED Project is being developed to meet the increased demand in the Northeast United States for transportation capacity of natural gas,” said Wheatley. “Natural gas is a clean, environmentally friendly energy source that is produced domestically.”
Related Slideshow: Mass. Leaders Speak out About Gas Pipeline Project
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