Pipeline Builder Sues Boston Over West Roxbury Gas Line

Spectra Energy Corporation has sued the city of Boston for preventing them from constructing a portion of New England’s largest natural gas pipeline in West Roxbury.

The West Roxbury Lateral gas line is a 5-mile section of Algonquin Incremental Market’s larger pipeline. It is set to run through Westwood, Dedham and West Roxbury.

Spectra has alleged the city would not sell the rights-of-way needed to bury the gas line near a gravel quarry in one of West Roxbury’s neighborhoods, according to a federal suit filed against the city last week.

As a letter from one of Spectra’s branches, Algonquin, indicated on June 23 via a letter, the pipeline company offered the city $600,000 for the right to lay its gas line under Washington St., Grove St., and Centre St. Several key politicians in Boston have actively campaigned against Spectra’s right to build.

Mayor Marty Walsh, Congressman Stephen Lynch and many residents living in the section of West Roxbury near the proposed work site, say the pipeline presents a threat to the safety of everyone in the area. Federal officials have overlooked the worries, but Walsh and others asked regulators to halt the construction until an appeal hearing is granted.

According to Spectra, Boston has avoided answering the company’s requests, saying communication has been inconsistent between the two sides.

Spectra asked a judge for the right to use 170,000 cubic space in the area to install the pipeline after they were presented with a checklist from the city to use to get permission to proceed with its project from Boston’s Public Improvements Commission.

Construction on the pipeline has already begun in Dedham despite heavy opposition from the town.