Press Release
Monday morning, 8/29, concerned residents unveiled a list of nearly 50 local businesses endorsing the Stop the Pipeline and LNG Tanks campaign from New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Acushnet and Freetown.
Ben Gilbarg, from Visionary Communications Consultants in New Bedford endorsed and commented, “I’m concerned that the people in the area of the proposed project will face an unnecessary burden. Also, with all of the toxins already present in the Greater New Bedford area, and all of the dredging and cleanup of the Acushnet River watershed, why would we want to increase dependence on fossil fuels?”
Texas-based Spectra has partnered up with Eversource working to build a new pipeline in Freetown and construct giant LNG tanks in Acushnet. This project, called Access Northeast, also includes pipeline in dozens of towns including Braintree, Sharon, and West Boylston.
This summer, over 400 people marched to the Boston Common calling on Governor Baker to retract a controversial proposal to subsidize new gas infrastructure with a charge on electricity bills.
“It’s important to know this problem is bigger than Acushnet and Freetown,” remarked Rachel Mulroy, New Bedford resident and organizer with the Coalition for Social Justice. “We’ve been talking to people across the region, giving them the facts gathered in the AG report, and asking them how they feel about it as South Coast residents and business owners. Our community is overwhelmingly opposed to the expansion of new natural gas infrastructure in Massachusetts. It’s bad for our health and it’s bad for our environment. Refusing to acknowledge there are cheaper, cleaner means of providing energy to ratepayers is just bad business.”
“This gas pipeline proposed by Spectra and Eversource is a direct threat to the rural character, wetlands, and security of the Massachusetts towns, families, and businesses caught in its path,” said Wendy Graca of South Coast Neighbors United. “We will stop this unnecessary, risky project no matter what it takes.”
“On Wednesday alone we gathered over 25 endorsements,” said Claire Miller from Toxics Action Center. “Obviously that is just the tip of the iceberg of opposition to the new gas pipelines. From farms to realtors to auto-shops and more: I hope the Governor hears these small business owner voices and publicly opposes this project.”
For more information, visit South Coast Neighbors United at www. scnu.us, or find them on Facebook.
The list of businesses endorsing the campaign is available on our website at www.NeighbNews.com, go to archives and 2016, 9/1/16 issue.
Click to download the entire 8/18/16 issue: 09-01-16 issQuahogRelay
Click here to download the SCNU press release: 50 BusinessesAgainstPipeline
