Western Mass Reliability Project

Location: Springfield and Longmeadow

Eversource Gas Company of Massachusetts petitions, pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 69J and G.L. c 40A § 3, seeking approval for construction and operation of a new Point of Delivery (POD) at the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. meter station to be constructed in the Town of Longmeadow, in conjunction with a new natural gas pipeline from the POD to the Bliss Street Regulator Station in the City of Springfield

  1. Location: Springfield, Longmeadow
  2. Company: EGMA/ES
  3. Agency: EFSB 
  4. Docket Numbers: EFSB22-05, Filed 5/26/2022, public comments/hearing complete
  5. Description
    1. Proposal to install, update and operate between a new point-of delivery (POD) station in Longmeadow and the Bliss Street Regulator Station in Springfield
      1. POD = site where natural gas transferred from interstate natural gas pipeline supplier (Tennessee Gas Pipeline/TGP) and prepared for delivery through Evsource lines 
    2. Proposed project
      1. $65 million 
      2. Installation of above group POD equipment at TGP meter station 
      3. TGP meter station in LOngmeadow 
      4. 5.3 miles of new 16-inch pipeline with normal operating pressure of ~200 lb/sq inch gauge (psig) in Longmeadow and Springfield 
      5. Upgrades at existing Bliss Street Regulator station to connect Project to existing distribution system 
    3. ~2 year regulatory proceeding after 5/26/2022
    4. requires MEPA EIRs for EJ
      1. Every neighborhood in Springfield is EJ community 
    5. Approvals Required
      1.  Energy Facilities Siting Board • Local Street Opening Permits • Building Permit (for POD—Meter Station) • Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and local town bylaws • National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit • Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Certificate, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs • Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Access Permit • Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities Zoning Exemptions
  6. Graphics
    1. wma-gas-reliability-project-map(Eversource)
    2. Detailed route map: https://www.eversource.com/content/images/default-source/project-pages/wma_gas_reliability_alternatives.jpg?sfvrsn=5432dcf2_1
  7. Links
    1. Eversource’s Proposed Western Mass Natural Gas Reliability Project
    2. Project Fact sheet 
    3. Open house presentation 
      1. Recording 1
      2. Recording 2  
    4. More info: email ProjectINfoMA@eversource.com or call 1-833-836-0302 or 1-800-793-2022
    5. Western MA Gas Project Mass.gov
    6. 2021 Eversource Handout
    7. Longmeadow’s gov website Project Description 
  8. News
    1. Activists call on Healey to oppose WMass Natural Gas Reliability Project (Feb 2, 2023) 
    2. Natural gas project including pipeline between SPringfield, longmeadow up for public comment (Dec 2022) 
    3. Activists set to attend hearing for Eversource pipeline (Dec 2022) 
    4. Springfield City Council presents resolution against Eversource pipeline project (Aug 2022) 
    5. Residents rail against proposed gas pipeline in Springfield at SESB meeting (Dec 2022)
      1. 0 people spoke in favor during energy siting board meeting
    6. State DPU Notice of Adjudication and PUblic Comment Hearing on Eversource (Nov 2022) 
    7. Climate groups protest against new Eversource high pressure entering station (Oct 2022) 
    8. Why Sen. Lesser and advocacy groups don’t want the Eversource backup pipeline (June 2022) 
    9. Springfield Climate Justice Coalition holds rally against proposed Eversource pipeline (April 2022) 
    10. Eversource Reliability Project undergoes legislative and public review (Dec 2021)
      1. City Councilor Jesse Lederman called for independent CBA from Mass DPU
    11. Eversource discusses multi-million dollar gas pipeline with Springfield officials as $44 million owed to city looms (Oct 2021)
      1. Springfield Councilor stated company has been withholding taxes since 2012 
    12. Boston globe article (Oct 2021) 
  9. Opposition groups
    1. Springfield Climate Justice Coalition
      1. Concerned about methane leak, possible explosions
    2. Politicians opposed/concerned
      1. State Sen. Gomez of Springfield
      2. Springfield City Council president Jesse Lederman 
      3. State Sen Barrett
      4. State rep Carlos Gonzalez 
    3. Longmeadow Pipeline Awareness Group 
    4. Action Network (link to petition)
      1. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ban-construction-of-gas-meter-station-and-high-pressure-pipeline-in-longmeadow-and-springfield 
    5. Energy Allies comments 
    6. Climate Action Now Western Mass (toolkit, comment workshop, hearing) 
    7. Mothers Out Front
    8. Sustainable Sharon Coalition
    9. Trees for Public Good (concerned about what trees will be cut down)