ICYMI: Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline Project Meetings This Week

By ADAM SWIFT (Patch Staff)

There are several important dates coming up concerning the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline project through parts of northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

The Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company is seeking federal approval to expand its existing pipeline system from Middleton to Danvers. As part of its expansion, Tennessee Gas has proposed building a spur of subsurface pipeline in an area of west Peabody along the Middleton line.

Neighboring Mayor Concerned About the Proposed Construction of a Natural Gas Pipeline

The pipeline proposed by Kinder Morgan and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company originates in New York and passes through western Massachusetts before traveling through a number of New Hampshire and Massachusetts communities and then terminating in Dracut. The goal of the project is to expand natural gas energy capabilities to the Northeast.

The pipeline proposal is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and could involve a number of other federal and state agencies which have standards and regulations that affect natural gas pipelines.

The Pipeline Coalition, a group of local cities and towns affected byt the pipeline project, is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10 at Peabody City Hall.

The monthly meetings are an opportunity for the communities to share news with the larger group, according to Bob Croce of Peabody Citizens United, a local group opposed to the Kinder Morgan pipeline project.

Peabody Citizens United is encouraging those concerned about the project to attend the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission’s scoping meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Dracut Senior High School, at 1540 Lakeview Ave in Dracut.

This will be an opportunity for residents to relay their concerns about the Kinder Morgan pipeline project’s impact on Peabody and surrounding communities.

There will be a panel of Federal Regulatory Energy Commission’s staff at the meeting to hear comments from all parties. These are usually limited to 3 minutes and there is no back and forth discussion with FERC, but Peabody Citizens United officials said it is a chance to have face time with commission officials to express concerns about the local impact of a pipeline running by local homes, water supply ,and conservation land.