NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - Thursday, May 28, 2015 7:00pm

LEGAL NOTICE

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD BY MASSACHUSETTS

ENERGY FACILITIES SITING BOARD STAFF REGARDING PROPOSED

NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION IN NORFOLK, PLYMOUTH, AND

BRISTOL COUNTRIES, MASSACHUSETTS

Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Docket No.: PF15-12-000

Notice is hereby given that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) has entered into a Pre-Filing review of Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C.’s (“Algonquin”) Atlantic Bridge Project (“Project”). FERC will prepare an Environmental Assessment (“EA”) to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”). The EA will be used by FERC to consider the environmental impacts that could result if it authorizes the Project by issuing a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under the Natural Gas Act. The
Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (“EFSB”) will begin its environmental review of the proposed Project and provide input to FERC in conjunction with the Pre-Filing Process.

The Project consists of the expansion of Algonquin’s natural gas facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The portion of the Project to be located in Massachusetts would consist of approximately 3.5 miles of new 30-inch pipeline in Medway, Bellingham, and Franklin. In addition to the pipeline facilities, the Company would construct a new 7,700 horsepower gas-fired compressor station in Weymouth. The Company would also modify a regulator station in Needham, and rebuild three existing metering and regulating (“M&R”) stations, two in Plymouth, and one in Fall River.

Additional information about the Project is available on the FERC Internet website (http://www.ferc.gov) using the “eLibrary” link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on “General Search,” and enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF15-12-000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at ferconlinesupport@ferc.gov. Alternatively, assistance is available by calling FERC at 1-202-502-8659 or 1-866-208-3676.

Public hearings that are designed to provide an opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Project have been scheduled in the Project area in Massachusetts. The EFSB will conduct these hearings as part of its responsibilities articulated at 980 Code of Massachusetts Regulation § 7.07(9). The two hearings will be held as follows:

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

7:00 p.m.

Abigail Adams Middle School Auditorium

89 Middle Street East

Weymouth, Massachusetts 02189

Thursday, May 28, 2015

7:00 p.m.

Town of Franklin Municipal Building

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

355 East Central Street

Franklin, Massachusetts 02038

Interested persons are invited to attend these hearings. Written comments will be accepted at the public hearings. Written comments may also be sent by email or by mail delivery service to the EFSB at the address below; written comments must be received no later than June 5, 2015.

Robert Shea, Presiding Officer
Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board
One South Station
Boston, MA 02110
Robert.J.Shea@state.ma.us

Based on its environmental review, including public input, the EFSB will provide its comments and transmit the comments it receives from the public to the FERC.

a sign truck parked outside the information night at Keller School in March 2015

Related posts on the proposed piipeline

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/what-is-story-about-pipeline-coming.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/10-miles-of-pipeline-through-towns-like.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/concerns-with-spectra-atlantic-bridge.html