Lawsuit Claims Columbia Gas Knew Of $27 Million In Needed Repairs

ANDOVER, MA -- A Boston law firm that has filed lawsuits against the NCAA on behalf of the Lousiville men's basketball team and represented victims of a roller coaster derailment in Daytona Beach says Columbia Gas knew of 150 leaks in its transmission system and $27 million it need to make in infrastructure improvements last October -- nearly a year before last week's deadly gas explosions in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover. Attorneys from Morgan & Morgan filed a class action lawsuit charging the utility with negligence in Essex Superior Court Tuesday on behalf of "residents displaced by last week's tragic and disruptive gas explosions."

"The high risk and leak prone infrastructure was not replaced," the lawsuit, noting that some of the pipes Columbia used to distribute gas to customers in the three communities were more than 100 years old. The 472 miles of outdated pipes used by Columbia are more than used by 178 other utilities.

A spokesperson for Columbia declined comment on the lawsuit Tuesday.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have been looking at sensors that allowed gas pressure in transmission lines operated by Columbia Gas to build up to 12 times normal levels. The sudden pressure spike caused a series of explosions that destroyed or damaged more than 60 houses in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover and left one man dead. More than two dozen people were injured and thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes.

In addition to the evacuations, power was cut to large parts of the affected area through Sunday morning. Some residents may have to wait weeks for gas service to be restored.

Separately on Tuesday, Columbia Gas said it would donate $10 million to the Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund, which was set up to offer aid to victims of last week's gas explosions. "Citizens in these communities are hurting,” Columbia Gas President Steve Bryant said in announcing the donation.

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Photo of Morgan & Morgan attorneys with members of the Luisville men's basketball team by Morgan & Morgan.

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