In January 2017 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted final approval for the $452 million Atlantic Bridge expansion project (see FERC Approves Atlantic Bridge Project for New England/Canada). The Spectra Energy/Enbridge project beefs up capacity along the Algonquin Pipeline, along with more capacity for Spectra Energy’s Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, to carry more Marcellus/Utica gas into New England and (eventually) all the way to Nova Scotia, Canada. Much of the project is now done–except in Massachusetts where a critical compressor station planned for Weymouth is stalled. The delay is causing hardships in both Maine and in Canada, due to declining offshore gas supplies. Maine needs the gas for electric generating plants. Actually, Massachusetts itself needs the gas as much as Maine–but the obtuse idiots that pretend to run the state are resisting the project because it flows an evil fossil fuel. The Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) technically has until January 2019 to complete a health impact assessment (HIA) and make a decision on whether or not to issue an air quality permit. By all appearances the DEP is taking its sweet time. If the permit is granted by DEP, Weymouth then has until June 2019 to complete an appeals process. Meanwhile, folks across the border in Maine will begin to experience rolling blackouts if they can’t find a new source of natural gas…
