WEYMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — In another setback, Enbridge said they are awaiting a full safety review from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) before they will be able to start full operations at the Weymouth compressor station.
The PHMSA had previously given Enbridge the green light at the end of November to start back up, but that has since changed.
This follows two emergency shutdowns in September, and the unplanned release of hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of natural gas.
In an email to WBZ NewsRadio, Enbridge spokesperson Max Bergeron said that the preliminary direct cause of the two shut downs “have been identified and addressed to prepare the compressor station to enter service,” and that the company is continuing to cooperate with the PHMSA.
“We anticipate the root cause analysis final report to be completed in short order,” Bergeron said. “At this time, we are maintaining the lower authorized pressure and will coordinate the planned pressure increase, testing, and commencement of full operations in cooperation with PHMSA.”
Meanwhile, in a tweet, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Neil Chaterjee said requests from opponents of the compressor station “for rehearing of the Weymouth order raise important issues that deserve input from a full Commission.”
Previously, Massachusetts Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren had sent a letter to the head of the PHMSA urging for the completion of a full safety report.
Congressman Stephen Lynch told the Patriot Ledger the administration likely won’t finish this process until next month.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@madisonwbz) reports
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(Photo: October protest outside of Weymouth compressor station. Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio)