State Representative
Gas pipeline protesters meet with Gov. Patrick
By RICHIE DAVIS
Recorder Staff
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
(Published in print: Thursday, July 31, 2014)
BOSTON — An estimated 400 to 500 people rallied on the Boston Common Wednesday, bringing their “Stop the Pipeline” message to the Statehouse.
Speakers included local legislators, Reps. Stephen Kulik, and Denise Andrews, all opposing Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.’s proposal for a nearly 300-mile pipeline that would cut across nine Franklin County towns on its way to Dracut, north of Lowell.
Following the two-hour rally, five of its organizers met privately with Gov. Deval Patrick, Energy and Environmental Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, calling for their opposition to the pipeline project and presenting them with two petitions.
Patrick told reporters Wednesday that he didn’t necessarily favor the TGP pipeline proposal, although he acknowledged all six New England governors have been promoting the need for additional natural gas capacity for the region.