Natural gas pipeline protesters hope weekend 'summit' will mobilize opposition

Opponents of a plan to construct a natural gas pipeline across northern Massachusetts hope their weekend rally will mobilize public opinion against the project.

Protesters from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York were staging a "Stop the Pipeline Statewide Summit" in Fitchburg on Saturday. Rally organizer Cathy Kristofferson says a pipeline of such massive scale is "a bad plan anywhere in New England."

Houston-based Kinder Morgan Inc.'s plan would route the pipeline from Richmond to Dracut, Massachusetts. Supporters say the pipeline, which still needs regulatory approval, would help relieve the need for more natural gas in New England.

The company's pre-filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indicate the project would require 91 miles of new right of way in Massachusetts.