Group expresses concerns over uncorrected gas leaks

May 12, 2016 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – Stephen Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, sent a six page letter to the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition on May 6 in response to that group’s concerns about the company’s response to what it said was more than 500 uncorrected natural gas leaks in the city.

“We are concerned about this from a safety, environmental, and public health standpoint,” Jesse Lederman, environmental organizer with Arise for Social Justice, a member organization of the coalition, said. “We are also concerned that the cost of this wasted gas is being passed on to Springfield ratepayers.”

The coalition has compiled a map of the leaks at www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=zmIaLqIEWkOo.kSz1EMyOkQww.

While the six-page letter goes into some detail, the coalition is looking for more specific information about the Springfield leaks.

According to Bryant’s letter and to Sheila A. Doiron director of Communications and Community Relations, who spoke with Reminder Publications, the leaks do not present a health or environmental problem, nor are they a financial burden to rate payers.

Doiron confirmed the number of leaks cited by the coalition is accurate, but some of those leaks, which do not pose a threat, will not be fixed until the natural gas infrastructure in the city is replaced.

She added that number of leaks is not “unusual” as Springfield is “the largest city in the service territory.” She noted the density of the city coupled with the fact the natural gas infrastructure was first installed in 1847 add to the situation.

Byrant’s letter explained the various classifications of gas leaks and the company’s response to them. “A Grade 1 leak is a leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to persons or property. A Grade 1 leak requires repair as immediately as possible and continuous action until the conditions are no longer hazardous. A Grade 2 leak is a leak that is recognized as non-hazardous to persons or property at the time of detection, but justifies scheduled repair based on probable future hazard. The gas company shall repair Grade 2 leaks or replace the main within 12 months from the date the leak was classified. All Grade 2 leaks shall be reevaluated by a gas company at least once every six months until eliminated.

“A Grade 3 leak is a leak that is recognized as non-hazardous to persons or property at the time of detection and can be reasonably expected to remain non-hazardous. The gas company shall reevaluate Grade 3 leaks during the next scheduled survey, or within 12 months form the date last evaluated, whichever occurs first, until the leak is eliminated or the main is replaced.

“It is important to note that any leak located within a school zone – regardless of its classification – is prioritized for repair.

Byrant concluded, “Using the leak classifications above, Columbia Gas immediately addresses Grade 1 leaks. Repairs to Grade 2 leaks are addressed as soon as possible, and always occur within the 12-month requirement. If a Grade 2 leak is still present after six months, it is reevaluated. Grade 3 leaks are reevaluated every 12 months.”

He wrote that Columbia Gas “routinely eliminates Grade 2 leaks as a matter of public safety and regulatory compliance within 12 months of discovery.”

He continued, “Grade 3 leaks are typically characterized by small amounts of escaping gas that are often only detectable where small accumulations of gas occur underground and migrates toward and vents at openings in the ground or where the surface resistance to flow is low. In addition to all the uncertainty mentioned for Grade 2 leak elimination, through experience we have found that by their very nature – when the facility location where the Grade 3 leak is thought to exist is excavated – the gas dissipates, often making the source of the leak very difficult if not impossible to find. As a result, the complexity of directly eliminating Grade 3 leaks can range from a few hours to excavate the facility and tighten fittings to complex projects taking several days of excavation and investigation to find the leak source and make the repair.”

Addressing the cost of unrepaired leaks, Doiron said it costs a ratepayer $1.80 annually. This fee is built into the pricing of natural gas “as a reasonable cost of business.”

She also asserted the uncorrected leaks have little relative impact on greenhouse gases and climate change.

Byrant’s letter noted there are 192 miles of natural gas pipeline in the city of Springfield alone and the company has a 20-year plan to replace its old cast iron and wrought iron gas mains with modern piping.

The Coalition released the following statement on response to the letter: “The Springfield Climate Justice Coalition has received a response from Columbia Gas in regards to our concerns in the case of over 500 ongoing gas leaks in the City of Springfield.

“We remain concerned about the impact of these leaks on the environment, public health, and the economic impact to ratepayers in the City of Springfield. As you know, the non-profit HEET MA has estimated the annual cost of lost gas at as much as $2.3 Million.

“The letter we received seems to speak in generalities, and does not directly address our concerns in Springfield. We are concerned that the industry may be underestimating the extent of these leaks, as much of the data that Mr. Bryant seems to reference comes from the 1990's. We will release a thorough response in the coming days.

“We are in the process of going through the lengthy response letter which we received from Columbia Gas, and appreciate their thorough response. We will be contacting Mr. Bryant again regarding the meeting we originally requested in the letter, and look forward to hopefully working together with him.”

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