This pollution increases the possibility of community and employee exposure every time the ground is disturbed during construction. As a result, tests conducted on the dirt and groundwater by Enbridge revealed the presence of arsenic, multiple hydrocarbon compounds, coal ash, diesel fuel, and heavy metals among other contaminants in troubling levels. The site was additionally used as a dumping ground for toxic coal ash, and a storage site for an 11.2 million gallon above-ground leaky diesel fuel tank. Designated as a toxic waste site by the state, the land on which the station is constructed consists of industrial landfill waste from a time when there were regulations in place for their containment and safe disposal. The compressor also presents the risk of significant water and ground pollution.
Instead, the project increases dependency on fossil fuels. Such a significant infrastructure investment also hinders efforts to transition to cleaner energy alternatives. The extraction of this gas via fracking is problematic, presenting additional emission leaks and site pollution. įrom a global perspective, the compressor and pipeline it supports contribute to climate change both directly through methane leaks, and indirectly through CO2 emissions when natural gas is used by consumers. The company refused to take responsibility for the most recent release in May, declaring it out of their control as a "force majeure," or “an act of God.” The company then failed to conduct a root cause analysis or safety inspection of the compressor station. In the year since the station has been operating, there have been four unplanned large releases of gas: September 11th, 2020 (169,000 cu ft), September 30th, 2020 (195,000 cu ft), April 6th, 2021 (11,430 cu ft), and May 20th, 2021 (11,000 cu ft). Quincy, Germantown, and other surrounding areas). The venting of these pollutants occurs during “blowdowns” (part of the normal functioning process to relieve pressure), through leaks, and most notably during unplanned releases (potentially affecting N. Īnother major concern is the negative health impact on the surrounding community from methane and volatile organic compound emissions. Furthermore, these communities are already disproportionately impacted by pollution from other industrial activities in the area. Additionally, two Environmental Justice state-designated communities are within close proximity to the site. The combined population of the two cities closest to the compressor site is approximately 150,000, many of whom are at risk for environmental and health concerns.
Within 1.5 miles of the site are a number of schools (3,000+ students), housing for the elderly, nursing homes, a mental health facility, and the Fore River Bridge (heavily trafficked by 30,000 commuters per day). The Weymouth station is positioned in the “most densely populated location ever in a coastal area in the United States,” with about 3,200 people per square mile. The location of the site has been the primary concern. įirst proposed in 2015, the company conducted a number of assessments, acquired permits from various state and federal regulatory agencies, and selected the site after considering a number of alternatives.
One of the company’s justifications for the project was that it would provide gas for heating local homes however, major utility companies in the area contest this, stating the station was not necessary to their operations. This station's primary function is to increase pressure and make transporting gas over longer distances more efficient. Constructed as part of the Atlantic Bridge Project, the station connects existing pipeline systems, transporting gas from Pennsylvania and other eastern gas fields to Maine and Canada.