North Central Chamber backs pipeline

KINDER MORGAN The purple line shows the revised pipeline route proposed by Kinder Morgan reroutes the project around north central Massachusetts.

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The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday threw its support behind Kinder Morgan’s controversial Northeast Expansion Project, saying the construction of the natural gas pipeline through Massachusetts, “will provide a reliable, more affordable source of energy in a region that has been plagued by high energy costs.”

“Businesses in Massachusetts face energy costs that present significant obstacles to competing in a growing economy,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the Fitchburg-based chamber, in a released statement. “The pipeline will allow businesses and families to access a clean and affordable energy supply.”

The move comes after Kinder Morgan modified the route of the pipeline back in December, largely to avoid north central cities and towns, and put the majority of the pipe in New Hampshire. Now the only portions of pipeline joining into north central Massachusetts are pipeline laterals off the main line to feed existing systems.

The natural gas pipeline would deliver natural gas to the region from Pennsylvania. The project is expected to bring 1,700 jobs to Massachusetts and nearly $24 million in state and local tax revenues each year after project completion, according to the chamber.

The chamber’s board of directors and government affairs committee reviewed the project and adopted a formal position statement supporting the project on Sept. 24.

The pipeline has created controversy over its environmental impact, along with the implication of bringing more natural gas into the region and increasing Massachusetts’ reliance on fossil fuels. The proposal is currently under federal review.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this article used a map showing the old proposed pipeline route, not the new one that avoids north central Massachusetts.