Boston, MA – U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) blasted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision to approve a natural gas compressor station in a densely settled residential area of Weymouth after a huge gas leak endangering local residents occurred on the first day of operations. 

“This could have easily been a mass-casualty event” said Lynch. “Obviously, the proper safety protocols were not followed and the gravest fears of Weymouth residents and the many opponents of this compressor station have been justified.” 

After the incident, Lynch called on the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to immediately suspend the opening and operation of the compressor station pending a comprehensive review. 

“This misguided and dangerous project presents an imminent public safety threat to the residents of Weymouth and its surrounding communities and must be subject to extensive state and federal oversight before any continuation in station operations,” wrote Lynch.  “The September 11th gas leak in Weymouth has greatly exacerbated our concerns – particularly in the wake of the series of devastating natural gas explosions that occurred in the Merrimack Valley in 2018 and considering the marked increase in pipeline safety incidents reported by PHMSA over the last two decades.”

You can read the letter here.