Pipeline Opposition Grows in Norfolk

Spectra Energy’s proposal for a gas pipeline through nine Massachusetts towns, including Norfolk, is generating grassroots opposition in the area. The 21-mile pipeline, called the Q-1 Loop, is part of Spectra’s Access Northeast project, one of three projects in the state that will expand pipeline capacity along the east coast into Canada.
The 30-inch, high-pressure fracked gas pipeline will deliver natural gas for electric generation markets.
An informational meeting with a question and answer period is planned for Tuesday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at the Norfolk Public Library. Residents are invited to attend and learn about the project and the implications for the town.
Organized resistance has been forming in the nine towns impacted by the proposal. The Q-1 Loop towns are Franklin, Canton, Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Sharon, Stoughton, and Walpole. In mid-July, close to 350 people opposed to the project took part in a 4-day, 43-mile march along the route of the proposed pipeline projects, ending at the State House in Boston. Locally, 80 people marched the route from Medway to the Norfolk library, and a rally protesting the pipeline was held near the Norfolk prison.
Carolyn Barthel, a climate activist and Chairperson of the Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts, is spearheading the opposition in the area. 350 Massachusetts is an all-volunteer, grassroots network of climate activists with nodes (chapters) from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. The organization opposes the pipeline expansion and is attempting to educate citizens and fight back against the project.
According to Barthel, about 40 Norfolk residents are currently involved with the Greater Franklin Node. Some are abutters to the pipeline, and some are simply concerned about the impact of the project on the community and on the environment.
Last summer, Spectra Energy informed direct abutters that the pipeline would be going through town, but activists are concerned that the majority of the town’s residents are unaware of the project and its far-reaching impact.
Norfolk resident Angela Wilcox, who lives next to the pipeline’s proposed route, said, “If you’re not a direct abutter, you might not know about the pipeline. Someone across the street from me might not know.”
Joe Fontes of Norfolk, who has been active with the Greater Franklin Node for the past year, joined the group after learning about the pipeline project. He’s worried about the effect of fossil fuels on climate change, as well as the legacy he will leave his grandchildren. “I want to be able to say to them, ‘I did try to do something,’” he said.
Ann Willever also became involved with the group in the last year. “I think climate change is one of the more important issues we are facing as human beings,” said Willever, also a Norfolk resident.
Following is a primer on the pipeline project in Norfolk. Details were up-to-date at press time.
Where will the pipeline go through Norfolk?
The proposed pipeline will run through the utility corridor in town, alongside the existing Algonquin pipeline. It will enter Norfolk from Walpole at Seekonk Street near Boardman Street, cross Baltimore Road (Rt. 115) at the Village at River’s Edge, run parallel to Main Street, bisect Cleveland Street near Holbrook, and then continue through Myrtle Street into Franklin. (See www.accessnortheastenergy.com/Our-Solution/Access-Northeast-Map/). Spectra Energy can change the route at any time, however.
Isn’t more energy needed?
According to its website, Spectra Energy says more pipelines are needed to “meet the growing natural gas transportation needs of electric generation companies throughout New England on the coldest days of the year when demand or power is greatest.” Proponents of the pipeline expansion also note the high utility prices paid by Massachusetts residents, among the highest in the nation.
Activists, however, are opposed to the pipeline projects because they believe the country should be investing in alternative sources of energy, not more fossil fuels. They cite the study conducted by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy (dated November, 2015, http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/energy-utilities/reros-study-final.pdf) disputing the assertion that more natural gas pipelines are needed in the state, even after the historical winter of 2014-2015.
“It’s like creating an 8-lane highway through Martha’s Vineyard just to deal with the Fourth of July traffic,” said Barthel. “It’s overkill.”
Who will pay for the pipeline?
A so-called “pipeline tax” was to be added as a surcharge to Massachusetts residents’ electric bills for pipeline construction costs. Activists believe ratepayers should not subsidize projects for private corporations. The Conservation Law Foundation sued the Department of Public Utilities over the legality of the pipeline tax, and on August 17 the Supreme Judicial Court ruled the tax was illegal.
At Local Town Pages press time, it was unclear how Spectra Energy would respond to the loss of taxpayer financing.
What is the impact on abutters?
Most residents who live along Spectra’s right of way were notified last year about the proposed new pipeline, which will run alongside the current, decades-old 24-inch Algonquin pipeline. Pipeline opponents say the impact on homeowners will not be minimal if a new pipeline is built, citing studies that conclude property values may diminish by 10-30% because the easement corridor must be increased to accommodate the additional, larger pipeline. The building of the pipeline itself will be disruptive and invasive for abutters, too, and they may lose access to parts of their properties.
What are the safety concerns?
Pipeline opponents cite the hazards of transporting high-pressure, fracked gas through Eastern Massachusetts alongside the existing pipeline. The 53-year old Algonquin pipeline, built when the area was much less populated, is riddled with leaks. Activists note the evacuation zone—the area that would be impacted if there were an incident—is a half-mile on either side of the pipeline, so many more people than the abutters would be affected.
“This is a 30-inch pipe at 750 pounds per square inch. That’s a very high pressure transmission line going through a heavily-populated area,” said Barthel.
In addition, pipeline opponents note that fracked gas contains neurotoxins, carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.
What are strategies to stop the pipeline?
Spectra Energy will likely formally file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) sometime in the fall. After that, a town has 3 to 4 weeks to apply for intervener status. Intervener status gives a town legal options, regardless of its position on the pipeline project. The website www.NOspectraMA.org has information under the FERC tab on how a town can file a Motion to Intervene.
Residents can also send comments to FERC, telling the agency that the project (docket #PF16-1) is not in the public interest. To comment, follow the instructions under the FERC tab on the www.NOspectraMA.org website.
Spectra Energy has probably finished surveying for the pipeline in Norfolk, but abutters can still rescind Spectra’s right to survey if Spectra returns for additional inspections.
Towns can also form a coalition with other Q-1 Loop towns to fight the pipeline.
Local Town Pages attempted to contact Norfolk’s town and elected officials about the pipeline project, but no one could be reached for comment.
The Greater Franklin Node of 350 Massachusetts meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, located at 262 Chestnut Street. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterFrankin350Mass/ or www.NOspectraMA.org. Concerned citizens are invited to attend a meeting and learn the strategies of other towns fighting the project.