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Walsh lobbies feds for rehearing regarding West Roxbury pipeline – Metro US

Walsh lobbies feds for rehearing regarding West Roxbury pipeline

Walsh lobbies feds for rehearing regarding West Roxbury pipeline
Nicolaus Czarnecki/Metro

Citing public safety concerns, Mayor Marty Walsh is requesting federal energy regulators hold a rehearing for the West Roxbury lateral gas pipeline.

The request is a response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s final environmental impact statement, which was released earlier this month. That statement would allow Algonquin Gas to build a new high pressure gas line along Washington and Grove streets in West Roxbury and a metering and regulation station across from West Roxbury Crushed Stone.

The mayor is concerned about the pipeline because it would be built across the street from a quarry where dynamite is used on a daily basis.

“I have listened to the concerns of the community, and we have asked Algonquin Gas and Spectra Energy several times to find a new route for this pipeline,” said Walsh. “The project as proposed poses real public safety risks for West Roxbury residents, and we must work together with the community and with our city, state and federal partners to find a solution that is in the best interests of West Roxbury residents.”

U.S. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch, Senator Michael Rush, Representative Ed Coppinger, City Councilor Matt O’Malley, and the at-large city councilors are joining the mayor in pushing for the rehearing.

“We are all together on this,” said Lynch. “We will use every avenue to protect the neighborhood. We have consulted with Attorney General Maura Healy and we’ll continue fight to protect the public’s safety.”

Coppinger indicated a rehearing would give the community an opportunity “to have their voices heard in opposition to the proposed Spectra natural gas pipeline.”