Acushnet Fire Chief Pleased No Additional LNG Trucks Coming to Town
Eversource has walked back plans for a trucking facility at a proposed expansion of it's LNG storage tanks off of Peckham Road in Acushnet.
The language in the proposal last month sparked quick action from town Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher and Police Chief Michael Alves, who brought it to the attention of the general public and the state and federal government.
Chief Gallagher tells WBSM News for 45 years, the LNG facility has had an impeccable trucking record with zero incidents, but he doesn't want to push the envelope. "We're closing in on nearly half a century of 300 trucks a year coming to Acushnet. It's a lot different today with distracted drivers than it was in 1971 when that facility started," says Gallagher.
Gallagher says he is pleased with Eversource's response to town officials' concerns, stopping short of accusing the energy supplier of pulling a fast one. "The idea that we were going to quietly stand by while they build a trucking facility, with language specific to the movement of LNG throughout the Northeast, was completely unacceptable and foolish if they didn't think that we were going to hit them fast and furiously."
Gallagher adds his primary concern is the safety of the residents of Acushnet and surrounding communities.