Boston, MA – Today, U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) sent a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown requesting PHMSA immediately terminate the operation of the Weymouth Compressor Station. Rep. Lynch cited PHMSA’s authorization to issue an emergency order to abate an “imminent hazard”, which federal regulations define as a “facility that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal injury or substantial endangerment to health, property or the environment” may occur.
“I urge the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to exercise its regulatory enforcement authority in the area of the pipeline safety and immediately terminate operation of this dangerous project,” Rep. Lynch wrote. “Recent emergency events at the Weymouth Compressor Station have more than validated the health and safety concerns that South Shore residents, community safety groups and local, state and federal officials have expressed for nearly seven years. The Weymouth Compressor Station clearly falls within the regulatory definition of “imminent hazard” and necessitates emergency action by PHMSA.”
Last week, Rep. Lynch sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Richard Glick requesting that the Commission immediately rescind the certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Weymouth Compressor Station. His letter was in response to Chairman Glick’s recent statement in which he acknowledged that FERC “likely erred in siting the Weymouth Compressor Station where it did” due to its location in a heavily populated area. Rep. Lynch has also introduced H.R. 309, the Pipeline and Compressor Safety Verification Act, to require FERC to revoke the certificate until state public safety and fire officials certify that the Weymouth facility does not pose a danger to neighboring residential communities.
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