Ethanol Amendment Sponsored by Senators Petruccelli, DiDomenico, and Jehlen Included in Senate Budget

BOSTON - Last week, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its Fiscal Year 2014 budget.  Included in the final budget was an amendment sponsored by Senators Anthony Petruccelli, Sal DiDomenico, and Patricia Jehlen to prevent the transport of ethanol by rail through our
communities.

This amendment comes in response to a proposed plan by Global Petroleum (Global) to transport increased  quantities of ethanol via MBTA commuter rail tracks, which run through a number of urban communities, like Boston, Everett, Cambridge, Somerville, and Chelsea, to their facility in Revere.  To begin this project, however, Global must first obtain a Chapter 91 Waterway License from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental protection (DEP).  This amendment would prohibit the DEP from issuing such a license to Global.

“Senators DiDomenico, Jehlen and I drafted the ethanol amendment with the belief that public safety is among our top priorities.  We worked tirelessly on this amendment in order to protect the residents of our communities from the dangers of such a volatile substance.  I am enthusiastic at the adoption of our amendment and the prospect of working with the Senate and House leadership and the bill’s conference committee to ensure its final passage,” said Senator Anthony Petruccelli.

“I am pleased our ethanol amendment was included in
the Senate budget,” said Senator DiDomenico. “The plan to bring increased quantities of ethanol via train through our districts raises serious public safety concerns and potential negative environmental impacts for residents of my district. Ethanol is an extremely dangerous substance and the safety our residents should not be compromised for the sake of expediency and profit.”

“The adoption of this amendment is an important step in deterring the transport of dangerous substances through our community,” said Senator Pat Jehlen.  “Ethanol, which could so easily endanger the lives of residents, does not belong on railroad tracks so close to neighborhoods and
homes.”

The Senate budget now moves to a conference committee with the House of Representatives. The final budget will go to Governor Deval Patrick for his consideration.