Columbia Gas Reverses Position On Temporary Equipment

ANDOVER, MA -- Columbia Gas of Massachusetts clarified its position on temporary equipment that customers in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence installed while they wait for gas service to be restored. While the company had initially said it would keep its right to temporary heating equipment, it said Tuesday it will allow customers to keep the equipment if they choose to do so.

"Based on the complex logistics of this restoration effort, as well as the significant inconvenience to our customers, we feel this change in position is necessary to better support our customers," the company said in a statement.

The utility is working to restore service to customers who have been without heat and hot water since the September 13 gas explosions. Customers have the option of installing temporary equipment and having those costs reimbursed by Columbia Gas. Customers now have the option of keeping those temporary heating units when gas service is restored, or they can arrange to have unneeded equipment taken by Columbia Gas.

"We will NOT be taking back temporary heating solutions once permanent solutions are installed. Even if installed on a temporary basis, the customer may choose to keep them," Columbia Gas said. "If a customer wants their temporary heat solution removed, we will remove it."

Tuesday's statement clarified comments a Columbia Gas spokesperson had made to Patch on Sunday. The company will not, however, reimburse customers for the complete cost of equipment if they chose to install mini-split AC/heating equipment.

"Our intent is to reimburse customers for temporary solutions that replace appliances impacted by the event on September 13, (i.e. providing heat due to the lack of a furnace or boiler)," the company said. "Air-forced heat pumps and mini-split AC/Heating solutions provide both heating AND cooling, and do not represent a like-for-like replacement of impacted equipment and appliances."

A spokesperson for Columbia Gas confirmed that reimbursement would not be provided for those systems.

"That is my understanding as it is not a like system," Columbia Gas Spokesperson Judy Rakowsky said. "But there is a case by case claims process."

That portion of the statement seemed to contradict earlier guidance Columbia Gas had given to local officials. In a Twitter post, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Mayler said he had asked the utility specifically about such devices.

Temporary Housing Update

While trying to restore service to residents in Andover, North Andover and Lawrence that have been without heat and hot water by November 19, the utility has been simultaneously undertaking a massive relief effort to make sure residents without heat have temporary heating or alternative shelter. The Sept. 13 gas explosions destroyed or damaged 131 buildings, injured more than 25 people and killed one.

Linda Battalagine, the North Andover woman Patch reported on who had been moved to a hotel in Manchester, NH and had a reimbursement request for takeout food denied by Columbia Gas, said Tuesday she had been offered a hotel near Logan Airport in Boston. She said her adjuster also told her the food reimbursement request would be resubmitted.

"They offered me a hotel in Logan Airport," she said Tuesday. "It would be closer to my work, but not feasible with the kids. I wouldn’t feel comfortable having my daughter drive to school from Boston."

At the Andover Selectmen's meeting Monday, Columbia Gas officials said only a handful of the trailers it had set up in Andover were occupied. Company officials said people who had called for housing before should call again, as more temporary housing, including hotel rooms, is becoming available.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).