So where were the Massachusetts officials who could have negotiated with Connecticut to save Otis State Forest because the gas wasn’t really needed after all?
Depressed consumer demand for natural gas in Connecticut, could yet save beleaguered Article 97 of the Massachusetts’ Constitution. Reduced demand for gas in Connecticut could allow Massachusetts to continue to protect pristine, specially designated Commonwealth terrain.
In their legal filing to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection the complaint of the Citizens alleges that “the proposed pipeline would permanently degrade and impair water uses and quality for waters located at the heart of [8,500 acres] of interconnected, valuable open space.”
The company has reneged on promises to compensate Sandisfield — population around 800 -- for wear and tear on roads and bridges, as well as $30,000 in legal fees.
Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline has been in court since early spring to gain immediate access to clear 3.83 miles of state protected land in Otis State Forest.
At the same time, Kinder Morgan, the Fortune 500 corporation, is showing signs of reneging on $1,080,000 in compensation promises to the town of Sandisfield.
An EdgeCast, “Sandisfield Pipeline: This story isn’t over,” is contained within this article.
“The Attorney General’s Office did reach out to us, and is considering an appeal. We’re just waiting to see what happens next … the Judge stated in the courtroom that he anticipated that this would be appealed.”
---- Sandisfield Town Manager Alice Boyd
This particular case has far-reaching implications since the land in question is protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts state Constitution. But this proposed pipeline may be unaffected by the demise of the far larger, $3.3 billion Northeast Direct pipeline project to the north across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The situation in Sandisfield is fast becoming a precedent-setting testing ground for the power and teeth of Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution that preserves state-protected land. That’s why the Attorney General is now involved.
