To: Martin Walsh, Mayor, Matt O'Malley, Michelle Wu, Stephen Murphy, Michael Flaherty, Edward Coppinger, Stephen Lynch, Congressman, Elizabeth Warren, Senator, Edward Markey, Senator, Ayanna Pressley, Michael Rush, and Governor Charlie Baker

Stop the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline

URGENT! We, the undersigned, strongly urge you to exercise the power of your office to effect a moratorium on the Spectra Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) pipeline expansion and the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline project until the Boston Public Health Commission can complete a thorough health and safety evaluation of the project.

Recognizing the significant risk of blasting and the potential impacts on a co-located high pressure pipeline and above-ground terminus, we request a complete seismic and health and safety study. FERC should rescind approval of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline in the absence of the results of this study.

An independent analysis should reflect the true dynamics of a high pressure gas transmission pipeline rupture next to an active blasting site in a densely populated area.

We urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to exercise the power of your office to immediately call on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rescind its approval of the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline project and for a comprehensive, transparent, and independent risk assessment to be conducted immediately.

Why is this important?

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 111 Sections 31 & 143, we are petitioning for an independent, thorough, and transparent health and safety evaluation of the threat posed by the WRLP segment of AIM to the health, well-being, and property of the residents of West Roxbury, Dedham, Westwood, and the surrounding areas.
An explosion of this 750psi pipeline would cause certain devastation to an area as large as a 30 city block radius. Leaked fracked gas passing through this pipeline has toxic components like PCBs, arsenic, radon, and methane. The risk of leaks is increased by live blasting in the immediate area of a planned Metering & Regulating station opposite an active quarry. The imminent construction of this station and a 750 psi pipeline in a densely populated area that includes three schools and a nursing home is an intolerable risk that requires an urgent halt for a thorough and independent review of the health and safety effects of frequent blasting in the immediate region of a high-pressure pipeline.