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The Compressor Station
Kathleen Corey Rahme, Methuen COuncilor At Large

As an elected official you feel as though you have the power to affect change. You may be the one to break down perceived barriers for constituents seeking remedies to various problems. You sometimes feel the ability to make a difference in your city by voting a certain way. Often you feel that your voice can carry influence because you are able to produce a strong argument for or against something for your constituents.

There may be an exception. The Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline has a proposal to construct a compressor station in Methuen or Haverhill as part of Phase IV expansion plans to construct about 146 miles of loops and six new compressor stations in Maine and Massachusetts.

When I am out in the city and people approach me to ask about this very important issue, I have to say, I am not able to give them the answer they want to hear. I am unable to say, “Don’t worry about it.”

I share the frustration of other Methuenites. I hear myself saying that this may be beyond my realm. I share their concerns about safety, property values, quality of life and the habitat. I encourage citizens to attend meetings, write letters, and voice their concerns.

The issue of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline gas compressor station, slated to be built somewhere between Methuen and Haverhill, has been a hot topic lately. I have been to numerous meetings on this subject. There is much talk about supply and demand. Our country’s consumption of natural gas is so great that there is a need to increase the flow. The bottom line is that FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, is going to approve the placement of the station where it deems appropriate to place the station.

The FERC is charged by Congress with evaluating whether interstate natural gas pipeline projects proposed by private companies should be approved. The Federal government does not propose, construct, operate, or own such projects. (Source: An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need to Know? Department of Energy-FERC, January 2004). FERC’s evaluation and approval supercede all local and state authority.

The pipeline company negotiates with the landowners who are compensated for signing an easement document. Land-owners may be paid for loss of certain uses of the land during and after construction, loss of any resources, and any damage to property.

If the Commission approves the project and no agreement with the landowner is reached, the pipeline may acquire the easement under eminent domain (a right given to the pipeline company by statute to take private land for Commission-authorized use) with a court determining compensation under state law (source: FERC, 2004).

I think it is very sad that people buy their homes and make an investment in their community only to be told their circumstances will change with little consideration of the effects. It is sad that their voice of concern, if heard and considered, may not carry as much clout as you would expect. Sure, they have hearings and people speak out against it. Petitions are signed and letters are mailed. But does it matter? I wonder. Citizens look to their elected officials for support and protection against these things and, honestly, I think we are somewhat powerless.

I was told that it has to be this way or no compressor station, pipeline or liquid natural gas transfer station would ever be built, anywhere, if the decisions were left up to local authorities. The FERC commissioners can come in and take land by eminent domain.

They can claim farms. They can force themselves into residential neighborhoods and, in reality, there is little any of us can do to stop them.

All citizens of Methuen, not just those who reside in the East District, should stand together with the residents in the east end of the city and express opposition. The bottom line is that if it is not in their backyard, many people cannot be bothered. We can all lobby and hope for the best by writing to Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, N.E., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426 to express our views. Please reference Docket No. PF05-17-000.

I read with interest in the local paper about the situation in Fall River on the Taunton River. The mayor and top Democratic officials rallied in front of City Hall in the rain last week to express opposition to the transfer station being built on the river.

They joined 100 constituents to express opposition. Will it make a difference? I don’t know. It is my understanding that local officials do not have much power in this decision, but the least we can do is try. Voicing strong objections is certainly the politically popular thing to do.

In every situation, I advise constituents to rally together and garner support for important issues. I have signed petitions and I have encouraged others to do the same. Questions and concerns can be addressed to: The Office of External Affairs (866) 208-3372

The Internet website www.ferc.gov

The Commission’s Public Reference Room (202) 502-8371 Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety (202) 366-4595 or at htt://ops.dot.gov/.
Given a choice, I cannot believe anyone would want the compressor station in his neighborhood. But, at the end of the day, I fear the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will do as it wishes.

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The May, 2006 Edition of the Valley Patriot
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Prior Columns by Kathleen Rahme