Paul McCann, JR, Boston, MA.

January 30, 2017

Acting Chariman Cheryl A. LaFleur
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20426
Re:

West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline Health and Safety Issues

Dear Acting Chairman LaFleur,

I am writing to you today on behalf of the Boston Public Health
Commission, which serves as the local public health department for the
city of Boston. Given the mission of my agency to protect,
preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston
residents, particularly the most vulnerable addressing the
environmental conditions that impact health is a central aspect of our
work.
It has been brought to my attention that the documents on file with
your agency do not include a sufficient analysis of potential human
health impacts associated with the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline. In
light of the densely-populated nature of the facility site, I believe
it is critical that FERC and other officials at the federal, state,
and local levels have adequate information about the potential health
and safety risks presented by this pipeline. Therefore, I
respectfully ask that FERC require Spectra to retain an independent
consultant with the capacity to conduct a Comprehensive Health Impact
Analysis of the project, including baseline environmental conditions.
I ask further that FERC suspend approval for, and suspend all
operations of, the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline until such an
assessment has been completed.
Also, as you have been made aware, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston
Police Commissioner William B. Evans, and Boston Fire Commissioner
Joseph E. Finn have previously requested information from Spectra,
including the meter station security plan and heat release map to the
City. As I understand, Spectra has yet to share this information as
of this date. Please let me take this opportunity to publicly
reiterate that request.
My agency is home to Bostons public ambulance service Boston
Emergency Medical Services as well as Bostons Office of Public
Health Preparedness, both of which share the vital interest with our
public safety agencies in being able to appropriately plan for and
respond to any potential emergency related to the pipeline.
I respectfully ask for your assistance in securing the information

requested here. I further request that FERC suspend its approval of

the West Roxbury Lateral pending receipt of this information and an
adequate study of the potential community health impacts. Please do
not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
/s
Monica Valdes Lupi
Executive Director
Boston Public Health Commission