Pipelines and New Hampshire​

 

AN AGGRESSIVE PUSH FOR GAS WE DON'T NEED

Liberty Utilities has been exploiting opportunities to transition New Hampshire to "natural" fracked gas by going after one region at a time, eventually connecting the dots, creating a false demand and the need for an unnecessary pipeline.

 

In October of 2015, Jaffrey, Rindge, Swanzey, Winchester, Keene, Windham, Pelham, Lebanon and Hanover were announced as targets. Their goal for having a gas plant in Keene supports the plan to create a web throughout the state, regardless of need. They already have service in Manchester, Nashua, Concord and Berlin.

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In 2017, Keene, NH became the target for a temporary gas plant, that was approved without a public input session. Now they're working on permits to make the plant permanent. Plans are being discussed for gas throughout the city.

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In the fall of 2017, Liberty Utilities began speaking with Manchester, Auburn, Candia, Raymond, Epping, Brentwood, Exeter and Stratham about the "Concord lateral" they have named the "Granite Bridge" pipeline. Early in 2018, Unitil began discussing plans for gas expansion in Epping, one of the towns along the Concord lateral.

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EXPANDING LNG, CNG AND NATURAL (FRACKED) GAS

Liberty Utilities' plan is to install distribution pipes to supply LNG (liquified natural gas)/CNG (compressed natural gas) from a plant they're working to build in Lebanon. Concord Steam's former customers are being converted to natural (fracked gas) and Keene would be fed by a temporary and then permanent CNG plant. Once these plans go through, Liberty can then say they have the customers that Kinder Morgan was unable to produce and the NED pipeline now has the (false/created) demand they lacked that forced them to withdraw the pipeline on May 23rd, 2016. 

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FORCED CLOSURE OF CONCORD STEAM BIOFUEL PLANT

Liberty Utilities, aided by legislators from both parties, procured a deal in Concord to spend $25M in taxpayer funds to force the closure of NH-sourced wood biofuel plant, Concord Steam. ECHO Action opposed the closure and loss of NH forestry jobs. Green City Power offered to spend $17M to renovate and upgrade the Concord Steam plant at no cost to taxpayers. They made their presentation public and estimated the real cost to taxpayers to be closer to $100M. Legislators refused to allow their presentation, responded to respectful citizen emails with demeaning comments meant to discourage opposition and told those testifying that they had their opportunity to speak and it was done.

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State representatives were told that if they didn't approve the deal, they'd be cold next winter. Despite lobbying hard, challenging the questionable numbers used to justify the project, and strong voices in opposition including Representative Martha Fuller Clark, Democrats and Republicans voted in favor of the taxpayer-burden project.

 

To better understand the significance of what Liberty Utilities is doing statewide, the role lawmakers have in pushing gas in the state (such as forcing the closure of the Concord biofuel plant), and the overall plan behind this gas expansion, we strongly recommend that you visit our Clean Concord Steam page and while you're there, note the voting record. You'll see that veteran legislators guided members of both parties in pushing the project forward.

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NATURAL GAS IS NOT CLEAN OR SAFE

We are not victims of the system unless we refuse to speak out and get involved. When we wait until the problem is literally in our own backyard, we give away the power of our citizenship, democracy and our right to be heard, allowing others to make decisions on our behalf, potentially giving permission to build pipelines that poison our air, water, food, putting our schools, churches and communities at great risk from toxic emissions, fires and explosions.

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NATURAL GAS IS METHANE, A POTENT GREENHOUSE GAS

"Natural" fracked gas is methane, a very potent greenhouse gas that is colorless, odorless and toxic. Pipelines and gas plants emit and leak methane and have noisy "blow downs" that intentionally release gas. These gases can only be seen with a FLIR camera and are a health risk. To learn more, visit Pennsylvania's List of the Harmed.

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PIPELINE CONNECTIONS

When Kinder Morgan and Liberty Utilities were trying to line up more gas customers to justify the NED pipeline, Hinsdale NH and Vernon VT were considered for a fracked gas plant. Hinsdale now has a solar farm in the works. Vernon VT was receptive to the opportunity because of the closure of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant and loss of jobs. Keene's proximity to Hinsdale and Vernon make using previously proposed pipeline routes potentially viable for a large-scale pipeline infrastructure project that would bring gas from the fracking fields of Pennsylvania to Canada for export, using New Hampshire as a carbon corridor.

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WE DON'T NEED THE GAS

Did you know that New Hampshire exports energy? We don't need the gas and it won't lower our electricity rates. We ask you to sign our petition to stop pipeline predators, which unites the state in protecting us from unneeded, unwanted energy infrastructure projects by moving to clean, renewable energy.

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EXCESSIVE CAPACITY INDICATES INTENT TO EXPORT

After the Kinder Morgan NED pipeline proposal was withdrawn, Liberty Utilities has taken a new approach, planning segmented pipelines that can later be connected to export gas from the Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale deposit to Canada and international markets.

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RECOMMENDED VIDEOS

Gasland

Gasland II

Fracking Hell: The Untold Story [Marcellus Shale]

More videos

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Pipeline Safety Resources

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New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (PUC): Pipeline Safety Overview

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Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA): Inspections Overview & Intrastate Pipelines

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More pipeline information, journal articles and videos

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Pipeline Terminology

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LNG: Liquefied natural gas. Natural gas cooled to -260º F and converted to liquid at 1/600th the volume in the gas state.

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Natural Gas: Naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas & other gases.

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Fracked Gas: (Called "natural gas") The process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. The gas contains methane, other gases and trade secret chemicals. Northeast gas is assumed to be fracked and from Marcellus Shale in PA. (Fracking video)

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More pipeline terminology defined.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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WHO PAYS FOR THE PIPELINE?

All of Liberty Utilities' gas ratepayers pay for the pipeline. Ratepayers take all the risk, while Liberty Utilities and their shareholders profit.

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DO LIBERTY UTILITIES' PIPELINES LEAK?

On page 49 of 2017 Annual Report (48th page of the pdf), under "Total Unaccounted For Volumes", the lost amount is 2.2%, at a cost of $2.4 million. The most abundant leaks are Class III, which are tiny, but all of those leaks add up. That may sound like a small percentage, but the volume of gas is significant. It amounts to lost product as Liberty Utilities is saying they need more gas. The methane release also contributes to global human-increased climate change.

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WHO PAYS FOR THE GAS PRODUCT LOST DUE TO PIPELINE LEAKS?

Leaks in the pipeline and in other transportation are paid for by ratepayers. This gives little incentive to repair leaking product.

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WHO PAYS IF THE PIPELINE STOPS BEING USED?

When the pipeline and/or natural (fracked) gas becomes redundant, the ratepayers pay stranded costs. That means they continue to pay the costs of the pipeline, even if it stops being used. Liberty Utilities says there are no stranded costs for gas pipelines. That's true at this moment, but it doesn't tell the entire truth.

 

Renewables are on the rise and these East Coast states are planning or in discussion about implementing offshore wind, a huge renewable energy supply: Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Rhode Island already has the nation's first offshore wind farm! Only New Hampshire is not engaged in studies or plans for offshore wind.

 

ECHO Action has joined the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League and 350NH in appealing to first Governor Hassan and now Governor Sununu, asking for them to request a federal task force to study #NHoffshorewind in the Gulf of Maine. Governor Sununu said he would request the study if it could be demonstrated that residents were interested. In March 2018, 20 towns passed resolutions and warrant articles supporting offshore wind. We are still waiting for Governor Sununu to respond. Offshore wind would mean a lot of sustainable jobs and abundant clean renewable energy for the Granite State! This is they kind of energy we need and the energy that will quickly outpace methane - natural (fracked) gas.

 

Learn more now!  Follow on Facebook!  Follow on Twitter!

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I'VE HEARD THAT WE WILL HAVE ROLLING BROWNOUTS WITHOUT MORE GAS. IS THAT TRUE?

It's not true, but don't take it from us. NH's Consumer Advocate, D. Maurice Kreis, literally called B.S. on this claim that is one of the talking points of those who want a pipeline.

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"Let me say this as clearly and unequivocally as I can:  The lights are not going out.  There will not be rolling blackouts.

There will not be rolling blackouts now, there will not be rolling blackouts this coming winter, and there will not be rolling blackouts in 2022, or in the winter of 2024-25.  Eversource should stop claiming or implying otherwise.  So should the CEO of regional grid operator ISO New England...I call B.S."

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New England Won’t Be Rationing Electricity Despite ‘Alarmist Warnings’, D. Maurice Kreis, Power to the People, InDepth NH

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WHY IS LIBERTY IN A RUSH TO GET THIS PIPELINE APPROVED?

Fossil fuels are being replaced with renewables, which are of comparable pricing. Liberty Utilities has been aggressively seeking contracts all over New Hampshire, projects that can be connected so the gas can be exported, increasing the price. Liberty, and other gas companies want to lock us into a fossil fuel future to ensure their profits. What we need is clean, safe, energy independence, and that is available to us through renewables.

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WHO OPPOSES THE GRANITE BRIDGE PIPELINE & LNG TANK?

Families, home and land owners, farmers, conservationists, scientists, elected officials, parents with children in schools near the pipeline are concerned. People concerned about their health and safety, including those with respiratory ailments. Anyone who drinks well water. Anglers, boaters, hikers, photographers who care about rivers and lakes. Anyone who has an easement agreement with Liberty Utilities (formerly PSNH) may have damage to their property and wells and lowered property value.

 

Citizens of all backgrounds and political ideologies know that it's patriotic to protect the land and that if the U.S. Military considers climate change a national security threat, we should increase abundant, homegrown energy and embrace the many local sustainable jobs that come along with a booming industry in renewables.

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THE KINDER MORGAN NED PIPELINE WAS WITHDRAWN. DOES THIS IMPACT ME?

Yes, it does! The NED Pipeline was withdrawn due to a lack of gas contracts. Liberty Utilities has been aggressively seeking gas contracts. They have multiple projects across New Hampshire. Once connected, they could begin the process of exporting the gas. Gas infrastructure, like the Keene gas plant, could be expanded and a pipeline pushed through Southern NH again. The proposal of pipelines in segments makes them seem more innocuous, less threatening. In reality, it's just another plan to make ratepayers pay for a pipeline they don't need.

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NH News

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Granite Bridge Route 101 pipeline draws crowd (Seacoastonline.com)

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Group comes out against the Granite Bridge natural gas pipeline (Seacoastline.com)

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Two years after pipeline shelved, opposition groups continue fighting fossil fuel development (Keene Sentinel)

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Letters to the Editor & GBP Articles

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Submit your Letter to the Editor or Commentary to our Activist Echoes Blog!

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Liberty Utilities is planning more than a [gas] plant (Pat Martin, Keene Sentinel)

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There's more than one way to go renewable -  you don't even need panels or blades! (Stephanie Scherr, ECHO Action)

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Liberty Utilities' missed pipeline inspections & failure to report leaks, are cause for concern (Sue Durling, ECHO Action)

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Andover gas explosions, a wake-up call to offshore wind (Mary Beth Raven, ECHO Action, NH Labor News)

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The Incineration Zone Comes Home (Chris Balch, ECHO Action, Keene Sentinel)

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Rep. John Hunt's home has 70+KW net metering, but he voted against expanding solar benefits (Pat Martin, ECHO Action)

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MA incineration zone goes live on social media, to the shock of viewers (ECHO Action)

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Epping residents need more Granite Bridge Pipeline & LNG education, the time to act is now (ECHO Action)

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A fracked gas metering station in Exeter? (ECHO Action)

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YIMBY State: Say yes to renewable energy (Sue Durling, Union Leader)

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The price of fossil fuels (Susan Shamel, Concord Monitor)

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Group that helps shape electricity markets in New England wants to keep its meetings secret

(D. Maurice Kreis, NH Consumer Advocate, Concord Monitor)

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Liberty's emissions math just doesn't add up (Pat Martin, Keene Sentinel)

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Did Liberty Utilities invent a magical gas with 12% less CO2 than methane? (ECHO Action)

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Ut-oh, Liberty Utilities is having difficulties with the PUC [missed deadline] (ECHO Action)

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Environmentalists fight Route 101 gas pipeline [Liberty's pipeline safety & inspection violations] (Seacoastline)

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BIA is looking backwards in backing Granite Bridge (Patricia Martin, Union Leader)

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A Bridge Too Far? (John Gage, Nashua Telegraph, Eagle Tribune)

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Let me tell you a story about Liberty Utilities and the Granite Bridge Pipeline (Laura Lynch, ECHO Action)

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Underweight babies, physical defects, poor health, related to fracking (Chris Balch, ECHO Action)

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Liberty Utilities says they'll do everything they can to fight climate change, so are they? (Chris Balch, ECHO Action)

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List of the Harmed documents suffering of 22,322 fracking victims (Stephanie Scherr, ECHO Action)

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Learn about Granite Bridge gas project, then oppose it (Siobhan Senier, Seacoastonline)

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Waiting for solar spills, wind explosion, while gas pipes leak (Chris Balch, ECHO Action, Keene Sentinel)

 

What do you know about the Granite Bridge Pipeline? (Mary Beth Raven, Union Leader)

 

Five reasons we don't need Granite Bridge (Chris Balch, ECHO Action)

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Senate prematurely pushing gas project (Pat Martin, Keene Sentinel)

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Questions for Liberty Utilities on New Granite Bridge Project (Pat Martin, NH Labor News)

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Out-of-towner explains Granite Bridge opposition (Pat Martin, Seacoastonline)

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Granite Bridge looks like a done deal (Not!) (Pat Martin, Manchester Ink Link)

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What could go wrong with the Granite Bridge Pipeline? (Pat Martin, Concord Monitor)

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Speak up about the Granite Bridge Pipeline (Stephanie Scherr, Concord Monitor)

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Submit Comments to the Public Utilities Commission

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Information about current PUC dockets, how to write comments and where to send them to.

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Eversource, Avangrid artificially constrained gas pipeline capacity for years, report argues

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"A new academic analysis argues gas utility subsidiaries of Avangrid and Eversource have artificially constrained gas pipeline capacity in New England for years, driving up natural gas and electricity prices and potentially violating federal laws.

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The systematic withholding of pipeline capacity, particularly on the coldest days, has cost New England electricity consumers $3.6 billion in higher prices over the past three years, according to “Vertical Market Power in Interconnected Natural Gas and Electricity Markets," a new white paper."

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Become A Member

We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and join our Pipeline Resistance Team today. For jobs, for clean air, water, safety and our future, we're ready to be #FossilFree603.

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Governor Sununu and Liberty Utilities​

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NH's Governor Sununu looks favorably upon fossil fuels and has voiced his support for pipelines in the state. Opposition continues. Clean energy proponents and their networks grow as the movement to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy builds, resists and gains strength.

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Benefits of Alternative Energy​

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•  Sustainable jobs, economic benefits, attracting business to NH, and retention of NH's youth to learn, play, work and stay in NH.
•  Climate action now, not in 2050 or 2030. We can't wait.
•  Protects our health, safety, air, water, food, farms and future.

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Protecting the natural resources NH treasures and tourists come to enjoy, spending money that supports our state economy. NH is already dealing with impacts from climate change.

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• Rising Tides

• Moose

• Warmer oceans impact New England's lobster catch

• Moose, shrimp, trout

• Gulf of Maine fisheries

• Maple trees & Maple syrup

• Snow and skiing

• Sea level rise