December 13, 2016

Senator Warren Urges FERC to Suspend Approval of the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline

Warren concerned that the "voices of West Roxbury are not being heard"

Text of the letter available here (PDF)

Washington, DC - In a letter sent today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to suspend approval of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline until safety concerns are addressed.

"As you are aware, the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline segment will carry highly pressurized natural gas in close proximity to an active quarry where dynamite is regularly exploded," Senator Warren wrote. "This choice of path has left many residents concerned about the hazard of potential leaks - or worse - occurring in their densely populated neighborhoods."

Senator Warren noted repeated requests to Spectra Energy Corp. from local authorities - including Boston's Mayor Marty Walsh, Police Commissioner William B. Evans, and Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn - to make public safety information available. "Pipelines can pose serious threats to the safety and well-being of our communities - which is why safety concerns must be fully heard and transparently evaluated," the senator wrote.

The senator further pressed FERC, stating "At a minimum, industry and federal regulators should immediately comply with local authorities' requests for additional information as they continue to provide security and emergency preparedness for our West Roxbury residents."

Read a PDF copy of today's letter here.

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