Local Western Mass. Residents On Edge Over Natural Gas Pipeline Proposal

WBZ-TV, CBS ^ | June 24, 2014 | Joe Shortsleeve

[thackney]

Plans to build a natural gas pipeline through central and western Massachusetts are running into opposition from residents in the communities affected.

The pipeline begins in Troy, Pennsylvania and runs through Wright, New York before entering Massachusetts in Richmond. It would run through dozens of communities before ending in Dracut.

But few residents expect to see any benefits from the pipeline plan.

“It would go in front of our house. It would go through this hay field,” said Pat Worth, one of those residents. Worth is afraid her 25-acre farm in rural Royalston will be ruined if a natural gas pipeline is ever allowed to be built.

“It will destroy property values,” she said. “It will destroy any inheritance to our children. This is not a good thing.”

Called the Northeast Expansion Project, Kinder Morgan, a Houston-based energy company is proposing a multi-billion dollar pipeline. It would cross into western Massachusetts and travel through more than three dozen New England communities.

Here is the issue – energy experts in New England say demand for natural gas is skyrocketing. Half of the homes in Massachusetts now use it and an even larger number get their electricity from plants powered by natural gas.

[factoryrat]

Route the pipelines through a different region, cut off ALL of the existing pipelines into Massachusetts, and let all of them freeze in the dark. Actions have consequences. Choose wisely.

[knarf]

How about it, thack ... (grania’s #38) .. I’ve never known pipeline to cross water (not that it doesn’t ... I’ve just never seen it), but I DO know they’re the most clever little diggers to go under roads and highways with zero disruption.

[thackney]

Pipelines are sometimes put on bridges, but I believe most transmission lines go underneath. It just is a matter of economics usually, given the situation of the location.

To claim that part of Mass is too pristine, rugged or other nonsense is just silly. Those claiming so have little understanding where pipelines already are located.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

The children of the generation that sponsored protest against the Seabrook Power Plant have arrived to stir up the locals in Massachusetts. The Soros backed Gasland Documentary is circulating among activists. Wood is plentiful in Western Massachusetts. Wait until they learn that the EPA is banning wood stoves. They think a few solar panels and windmills will take care of them. Good luck to that.