Ethanol Trains to Revere

[bostontrainguy]

Boston Globe article:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog ... m_content=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note last paragraph:

The same activist groups that rallied against Global are now trying to get communities to push Governor Deval Patrick to pass a law that would ban these types of proposals altogether, and keep similar plans from being presented by fuel companies in the future.

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Boston Globe article:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog ... m_content=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note last paragraph:

The same activist groups that rallied against Global are now trying to get communities to push Governor Deval Patrick to pass a law that would ban these types of proposals altogether, and keep similar plans from being presented by fuel companies in the future.

So...criminalizing thoughtcrime now?


These are the same people who are going to scream the hardest for lowering the gas tax when we end up locally having some of the most expensive gas prices in the nation from lack of regional distribution facilities.

[frrc]

Aren't the people in the photograph in the article Trespassing on RR tracks ?

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Aren't the people in the photograph in the article Trespassing on RR tracks ?

Ah, but their petition to ban thinking about enforcing railroad trespassing laws retroactively takes care of that nasty business!

[BM6569]

On their facebook group, they say they find it disturbing that first responders don't know what cargo is being transported in rail cars. As if they would lose sleep watching a train go through their town not knowing what's in each boxcar and gondola. lol

And I asked about the people standing on an active rail line. Here's their response: "They moved out of the way as the trains came through."

[b&m 1566]

Boston Globe article:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog ... m_content=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Note last paragraph:

The same activist groups that rallied against Global are now trying to get communities to push Governor Deval Patrick to pass a law that would ban these types of proposals altogether, and keep similar plans from being presented by fuel companies in the future.

I can't understand why Pan Am and/or Norfolk Southern never petitioned the STB for Declaratory order on this matter. Doesn't federal law preempted any state law and or local ordnance when it comes to interstate commerce?

[Sir Ray]

Boston Globe article:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog ... m_content=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Note last paragraph:
The same activist groups that rallied against Global are now trying to get communities to push Governor Deval Patrick to pass a law that would ban these types of proposals altogether, and keep similar plans from being presented by fuel companies in the future.

I can't understand why Pan Am and/or Norfolk Southern never petitioned the STB for Declaratory order on this matter. Doesn't federal law preempted any state law and or local ordnance when it comes to interstate commerce?

It wasn't that the rail aspect was prohibited by the new law; instead Global was essentially banned from improving and expanding it's facilities at the location due to the amendment added to the state budget.
From the Boston Magazine link above:
"Sponsored by Senators Anthony Petruccelli, Sal DiDomenico, and Patricia Jehlen, the wording of the amendment said that facilities such Global’s, within a half-mile of 4,000 or more residents, and accepting 5,000 or more gallons of ethanol per week, should not receive a Chapter 91 license if they apply."
What does a Chapter 91 license cover?

The Public Waterfront Act MGL Chapter 91 and its regulations require a Chapter 91 waterways license or permit for any activity located in, under, or over flowed tidelands, filled tidelands, Great Ponds and certain non-tidal rivers and streams located throughout the Commonwealth.
These projects and activities include but are not limited to: construction of docks, piers, wharves, floats, retaining walls, revetments, fill, dredging, beach nourishment, pilings, culverts, bridges, dams and some waterfront buildings, if on filled lands or over the water, that are located in any one of the four geographic areas described below.

Since Global would have been constructing new facilities in a tidal zone, they needed a license. Now, a legal case could have been made by Global that they were entitled to that license (since they applied well before this new law was passed), but apparently they felt it wasn't worth the effort to continue.

[bostontrainguy]

But the tracks, a mini-yard, and old oil racks were already there. What if they just upgraded the existing facilities without announcing the ethanol trains?
Wouldn't they have been able to improve their facilities just in case they might want to use them at some future date?

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

But the tracks, a mini-yard, and old oil racks were already there. What if they just upgraded the existing facilities without announcing the ethanol trains?
Wouldn't they have been able to improve their facilities just in case they might want to use them at some future date?

No. Because the improving-facilities part is where the state is emptying its entire arsenal. They attacked the trains from a flank outside the STB's jurisdiction by attacking the source of the business. But by attacking the source of the business, by the First Law of NIMBY Warfare the offensive must continue until the enemy has been routed on every front. It doesn't stop at trains...they want to build a brick wall around Global to prevent it from ever doing anything. They want the trucks off the road (City of Boston is already tightening that noose). They want the ships to stay far out of the harbor. If they succeed at pinning Global in, they will continue to seek concessions until Global is driven out of town entirely. Because there is ALWAYS a new "Won't Somebody Think About The Children?!?!" scare to invent about a perceived enemy.

And when Global finally gives Greater Boston the one-fingered salute they will then commence idle discussion of the palatial casino and all the filthy lucre tax revenue they'll never end up building or collecting on the site and complaining that the price of fuel in Boston has mysteriously skyrocketed and demanding that the Legislature slash the gas tax.

[b&m 1566]

So now what? I know Newington, NH and Portland, ME have been mentioned for alternative locations but I image it is much to early to get anymore details on these alternative locations.

[gprimr1]

Amazing. I'm no expert, but it seems that the ethanol would have brought good paying jobs to the area.

[Hux]

And I asked about the people standing on an active rail line. Here's their response: "They moved out of the way as the trains came through."

Damn shame.

[GP40MC1118]

Chelsea Collabrative folks posted this to the STEP Yahoo Groups
list today:

STEP friends, *
> I am writing to ask for your *help* and provide you with an update on the
> NO Ethanol campaign. *The campaign is NOT OVER.*
> Last year, we were successful in getting the State Legislature to pass
> legislation that would deny Global Oil’s chapter 91 license – a permit
> necessary for upgrading their property to accept the ethanol trains. Upon
> passage, Global withdrew its proposal. Since there was no longer an impetus
> to stop the trains, the *Governor did not approve the legislature’s
> language*. He amended it to require yet another study (this time
> conducted by MEMA) and a two year moratorium on trains transporting ethanol
> to facilities along the Chelsea Creek. The Governor sent that amended
> language back to the legislature for their approval. It has not been
> approved, so presently *THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING ANY ETHANOL TRAINS*.
> We have been advocating for passage of new legislation that would call for
> a 10 year moratorium on ethanol trains to Chelsea Creek oil terminals. The
> legislation is being introduced and voted upon next week by the House of
> Representatives.
*We NEED your ACTION TODAY. *
1. Please email me your interest in signing onto a letter
(attached) of support to be sent to the State Legislature asking them to
pass this new ethanol legislation.

2. Please call the Speaker of the House and state your support for
the ethanol legislation. (617)722-2500
Below is a link to the new amendment.
Thank you for your help in stopping these trains.
best,
Roseann

> Amendment to the House Budget (Number 392)

> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/188/Hou ... iginalText" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2b

>> Last year, we were successful in getting the State Legislature to pass legislation that would deny Global Oil’s chapter 91 license – a permit necessary for upgrading their property to accept the ethanol trains. Upon passage, Global withdrew its proposal. Since there was no longer an impetus to stop the trains, the Governor did not approve the legislature’s language. He amended it to require yet another study (this time conducted by MEMA) and a two year moratorium on trains transporting ethanol to facilities along the Chelsea Creek. The Governor sent that amended language back to the legislature for their approval. It has not been approved, so presently THERE IS NOTHING STOPPING ANY ETHANOL TRAINS. We have been advocating for passage of new legislation that would call for a 10 year moratorium on ethanol trains to Chelsea Creek oil terminals. The legislation is being introduced and voted upon next week by the House of Representatives.

[GP40MC1118]

Also got this off the Chelsea Collaborative webpage:

Sign the Petition to Stop the Ethanol Trains
Posted on: April 23, 2013

Sign the petition "Stop Ethanol Trains through Densely Populated Neighborhoods" to prevent flammable, explosive trains from traveling through Chelsea to Global Oil's facilities in Revere.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/685/875/ ... -through-d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…

Related Program(s)
Chelsea Green Space & Recreation Committee
Chelsea Collaborative
318 Broadway Chelsea, MA, 02150
(617) 889 6080

[bostontrainguy]

Also got this off the Chelsea Collaborative webpage:

Sign the Petition to Stop the Ethanol Trains
Posted on: April 23, 2013

Sign the petition "Stop Ethanol Trains through Densely Populated Neighborhoods" to prevent flammable, explosive trains from traveling through Chelsea to Global Oil's facilities in Revere.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/685/875/ ... -through-d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;…

Related Program(s)
Chelsea Green Space & Recreation Committee
Chelsea Collaborative
318 Broadway Chelsea, MA, 02150
(617) 889 6080

But it looks like they never reached their goal and the voting is over.

"THIS PETITION IS CLOSED"