A proposed Eversource project to update a 70-year-old natural gas pipeline from Longmeadow to Springfield is set for a public comment hearing on Wednesday with a state board deciding on its approval.
Plans for the project called for the construction of a new point-of-entry station in Longmeadow, for the installation of nearly 5.3 miles of a new 16-inch thick pipeline from Longmeadow to Springfield, and upgrades to the existing Bliss Street Regulator Station in order to distribute natural gas to approximately 58,000 customers in the Greater Springfield area, according to a notice for the hearing with the state’s Energy Facilities Siting Board.
The proposed work is called the Western Massachusetts Gas Reliability Project and a virtual hearing is set for Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.
A link to the meeting is available here.
Elected officials in Longmeadow and Springfield had petitioned state regulators to delay the virtual hearing until after an environmental review could be conducted and to postpone the meeting until after the holidays, MassLive previously reported.
The Springfield City Council and the Longmeadow Select Board have each voted to oppose the pipeline. At the Longmeadow Town Meeting, citizens voted to spend town money on an attorney to oppose the pipeline.
Eversource has stated the proposed $65 million-or-more pipeline would provide gas to customers in Southwick, Agawam, Longmeadow, West Springfield, Chicopee and Springfield.
This update is designed to improve reliability of the natural gas system in the Greater Springfield area,” Eversource said about the project on its website. “This includes protecting against a loss of service during the coldest times of the year. The proposed project will also reduce the chance of gas service interruptions during periods of maintenance or an unexpected disruption.
Continue reading the original article here.
Thinking about reviewing your facility's energy plan.
We are here to help...