ENBRIDGE PROJECT MAPLE – Proposal for the “Algonquin” Gas Transmission (AGT) pipeline
»Visit the StopProjectMaple.org site for the latest information
• OPEN SEASON FOR BIDS CLOSED – NO YET FILED WITH FERC
Open Season Ended November 17th, 2023
Enbridge is sought bids from buyers for increased capacity on its “Algonquin” Gas Transmission (AGT) pipeline. The proposed “Project Maple” plan would supply an increase of up to 750,000 dekatherms a day (Dth/d), depending on customer need. Since this is an existing major gas transmission system, any increases would by supplied mostly through replacing existing pipeline with larger diameter pipe where possible, extending or installing new pipeline loops in parallel to existing pipeline facilities where possible, and adding compression at existing compressor stations, depending on subscribed volumes (the amount of customers who bid and how much capacity they are willing to secure).
There is currently no public facing information on how the Open Season bidding went, and what new customers they may have gained.
“The company said the project would expand capacity on the ‘Algonquin’ gas system by up to 500,000 Dth/d at the Ramapo, N.Y., receipt point at the western end of the pipeline and 250,000 Dth/d at the Salem, Mass., receipt point at the eastern end. The total current capacity of the ‘Algonquin’ system is just over 3 million Dth/d.” (Source)
» See “Project Maple” Open Season info
(Also see news articles posted below.)
• POSSIBLE TIE TO LOCAL GAS UTILITY DEMAND IN MASSACHUSETTS
Though there are no public announcements of new customer demand from 2023’s Open Season for bids, and this project is not yet filed with FERC, it is worth noting some concurrent events that seem to indicate possible interest from local distribution companies (LDCs). It’s closely tied to efforts to keep the Constellation Marine Gas Terminal from retiring before the expected completion date of Enbridge’s AGT Project Maple.
This possible tie between Enbridge’s Project Maple and LDC gas utilities in Massachusetts is described in an excellent thread from energy expert Joe LaRusso:
“… at some point during the last six years Eversource decided not to upgrade its own gas distribution
assets to prepare for EMT’s possible closure, but decided instead to execute contracts that require it to rely on Constellation’s asset, EMT. Moreover, the four contracts ain’t cheap: they’re estimated to cost almost one billion dollars over the six years they’ll be in place. Which brings us to the six year terms of the contracts.
Why six years? That was a question that the Attorney General asked in the DPU dockets. The answer? Six years is enough time to build new gas transmission capacity—new pipelines—into the region so that the utilities would no longer need to rely on EMT.
There’s but one gas transmission project out there that’s been proposed: @Enbridge’s Project Maple.”
We’ve seen similar dynamics before:
This looks a lot like Berkshire Gas’ tactics for supporting the Kinder Morgan NED pipeline back in the 2010s when that project was being proposed. At that time, Berkshire Gas had all it’s permits for and started construction of 5 LNG storage tanks for it’s Pioneer Valley network. They had two done, and the other three about to go into construction when they suddenly halted them. NED was proposed shortly afterward, and Berkshire Gas lobbied hard for the pipeline, saying without more gas capacity from a pipeline, they were going to have to stop taking on not only any new customers, but no new appliances from existing customers, especially commercial customers.
• ENBRIDGE FILED OTHER PROJECTS WITH FERC:
Since the end of the bidding season for Project Maple, Enbridge HAS filed two smaller projects, adding capacity on lateral lines of the main Algonquin Gas Transmission (AGT) line. We believe these are a means to getting small portions of it approved more easily and to make the final project look smaller. This practice has been ruled in court cases on other projects as “impermissible segmentation”.
Both of these projects were filed with FERC, and asked for “blanket authority” under an existing permit from 1987. Filing this way, these projects would have received automatic approval if no protests were filed in response. Opposing organizations were able to get protests filed on both dockets in time to trigger review by FERC. Though those extended review periods have expired, as of May 20th, FERC has not approved the projects nor replied to Enbridge’s repeated pleas on the dockets for swift approval.
Projects they have filed so far:
– FERC docket #CP24-21, a regulator facility to be added to an injection site on the E-1 lateral in Coventry, CT
– FERC docket #CP24-49, replacement of existing 6″ pipeline with a 12″ pipeline under the Sakkonet River in RI (part of Narragansett Bay)
We are monitoring filings with FERC and any other possible news of further actions from Enbridge.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:
At this early stage, there is no filing with FERC for Project Maple, so detailed plans of what construction would happen where is not available. But it’s not too early to start pressing your Governor and other state and local energy and climate leaders – NOW – to deny any state permits for this gas expansion, and to speak out against the project.
If you live anywhere near the existing “Algonquin” Gas Transmission (AGT) pipeline, let your local officials and state legislators know – NOW – that gas pipeline and compressor station expansion are not acceptable because of local environmental disruption and their contribution to the climate crisis.
If you don’t live directly near the pipeline, you and your local officials can still speak out. The climate and economic affects of continuing our reliance on fracked gas affect everyone.
» Petition to Gov. Maura Healey
» Letter to Gov. Healey for local elected officials to sign
» View the Stop Project Maple Link Tree of resources for actions in other AGT states
State leaders to contact with your concerns over the building out of yet more gas capacity from Project Maple.
CONTACT INFO:
In Massachusetts:
— Governor Maura Healey
Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St., Office of the Governor, Room 280, Boston, MA 02133
(888) 870-7770
» Online email form
— Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Rebecca Tepper
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626-1000
» Email
— Climate Chief, Melissa Hoffer
(617) 725-4005 (Constituent Services line)
» Email
In Rhode Island:
— Governor Dan McKee
(401) 222-2080
» Online email form
— Acting Commissioner, Office of Energy Resources, Christopher Kearns
» Email
— Climate Change Program and Policy Manager, Daniel Jameson
» Email
In Connecticut:
— Governor Ned Lamont
Office of Governor Ned Lamont
State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
800-406-1527
» Email Constituent Services
— Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Commissioner Katie Dykes
(860) 424-3001
» Email
*If you live in any of the towns along the “Algonquin” Pipeline route and hear of activity regarding this new project, please contact Rose at BEAT, team@thebeatnews.org. They might approach town boards or individual land owners with pipeline easements about expanding existing rights of way, or about replacing pipeline within the existing right of way. Towns with compressor stations (shown as squares on the map above), please take note, as increasing capacity for compressor stations is also mentioned in the Open Season document above. This may not happen at this early stage, but we’d like to keep tabs on all incoming information.
RELATED NEWS:
» Fossil fuel company wants to expand gas pipeline in Northeast
September 22, 2023, Miriam Wasser, WBUR
» Enbridge Announces Project to Increase Northeast Pipeline Capacity
Enbridge Says Natural Gas Still Growing; Area Seeking to Reduce Natural Gas Us
Sep 21, 2023, Jon Lamson, RTO Insider