New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Photo: A liquefied natural gas storage facility in Massachusetts. Photo by Fletcher6.
Monday morning concerned residents unveiled a list of nearly 50 local businesses endorsing the Stop the Pipeline and LNG Tanks campaign from New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Acushnet and Freetown.
Ben Gilbarg, from Visionary Communications Consultants in New Bedford endorsed and commented, “I'm concerned that the people in the area of the proposed project will face an unnecessary burden. Also, with all of the toxins already present in the Greater New Bedford area, and all of the dredging and cleanup of the Acushnet River watershed, why would we want to increase dependence on fossil fuels?”
Texas-based Spectra has partnered up with Eversource working to build a new pipeline in Freetown and construct giant LNG tanks in Acushnet. This project, the Access Northeast, also includes pipeline in dozens of towns including Braintree, Sharon, and West Boylston. This summer, over 400 people marched to the Boston Common calling on Governor Baker to retract a controversial proposal to subsidize new gas infrastructure with a charge on electricity bills.
“It’s important to know this problem is bigger than Acushnet and Freetown,” remarked Rachel Mulroy, New Bedford resident and organizer with the Coalition for Social Justice. “We’ve been talking to people across the region, giving them the facts gathered in the AG report, and asking them how they feel about it as South Coast residents and business owners. Our community is overwhelmingly opposed to the expansion of new natural gas infrastructure in Massachusetts. It's bad for our health and it's bad for our environment. Refusing to acknowledge there are cheaper, cleaner means of providing energy to ratepayers is just bad business.”
"This gas pipeline proposed by Spectra and Eversource is a direct threat to the rural character, wetlands, and security of the Massachusetts towns, families, and businesses caught in its path," said Wendy Graca of South Coast Neighbors United. "We will stop this unnecessary, risky project no matter what it takes.”
“On Wednesday alone we gathered over 25 endorsements,” said Claire Miller from Toxics Action Center, “obviously that is just the tip of the iceberg of opposition to the new gas pipelines. From farms to realtors to auto-shops and more- I hope the Governor hears these small business owner voices and publicly opposes this project.”
ENDORSING BUSINESSES
Acushnet Construction Jeffrey Fabian 41 Cox St Acushnet
Bowman's Plumbing & Heating Mark Bowman 134 Nestle's Ln Acushnet
Rebello Upholstery Jim Rebello 59 Nestles Ln Acushnet
Rainbow Sales & Service Ruth Barksdale 175 S. Main St. Acushnet
Costa Brothers Masonry Lisa DaCosta Lopez, Michael DaCosta, Domingos DaCosta, Fernando
DaCosta 2 Lambeth Park Dr Fairhaven
Amaral's Automotive Center Joel Amaral 24 County Road Freetown
Fall Brook Child Development Center Melissa Rodrigues 12 Crossroads Drive Freetown
Alterations by Pat Patricia Rap 6 Crossroads Drive Freetown
Tim's Auto Body & Detailing Tim 78 Middleboro Road Freetown
With All My Heart Child Care Doreen Fouquette 41 Chipaway Rd Freetown
USA Breakfast Kyle P. Delaney 1 Chace Road Freetown
Tejendra Inc Gunvant Patel 4443 Acushnet Ave New Bedford
Jonathan Schwartz, MD Jonathan Schwartz, MD 50 No Second St New Bedford
Visionary Communications Consultants, 237 Tremont St New Bedford
Spicy Lime, 522 Pleasant St New Bedford
Central Kitchen, 2 Wing St New Bedford
Platinum Style Barbershop, 122 Allen St New Bedford
The Butcher Shop, 123 Dartmouth St New Bedford
Linden House of Pizza, 58 Linden St New Bedford
Gallery 65 on William, 65 William St New Bedford
Bamboo Garden Restaurant, 836 Purchase St New Bedford
Duff Gallery, 24 Centre St New Bedford
Centerline Carpentry, 5 Ridgewood Rd Mattapoisett
Subtext Book Shop, 209 Union St New Bedford
Cottage Antiques, 242 Union St New Bedford
Fred's Auto , 126 County St New Bedford
Melo's Auto Service, 92 County St New Bedford
Amigos Restaurant, 122 County St New Bedford
Mi Antijo Cantio Mexico, 95 Rivet St New Bedford
Neves Grocery, 161 Acushnet Ave New Bedford
Rua's Pizza, 196 Shawmut Ave New Bedford
Vintage Motors, 279 Cedar St New Bedford
Chadwick's Awards, 562-564 County St New Bedford
The James Arnold Co., 127 Chestnut St, New Bedford
Mare' Studios, 27 Centre St, New Bedford
Vasco Da Gama Restaurant, 85 Dartmouth St New Bedford
dNB Burgers, 22 Elm St New Bedford
The Spot Restaurant, 285 Union St New Bedford
Peaceful Paws Grooming, 72 Main St Fairhaven
Top Music, 67 Main St Fairhaven
Pumpernickel's Restaurant, 23 Center St Fairhaven
The Sea Witch, 36 Main St Fairhaven
