Map Reveals 173 Natural Gas Leaks in Marblehead

By FRANK O’LAUGHLIN (Patch Staff)

Over 170 potentially damaging natural gas leaks have been pinpointed across Marblehead.

The location of more than 20,000 gas leaks was recently revealed as part of a new state law, which requires utility companies to report the location and age of all know gas leaks.

According to a map based on a study done by the Home Efficiency Energy Team (HEET), Marblehead has 173 gas leaks, the oldest of which dates back to 1991.

Click here to view Marblehead’s map>>>

Audrey Schulman, president of the Home Energy Efficiency Team, told The Boston Globe that the leaks are in fact a major health and environmental hazard.

“The leaks are potentially explosive, kill trees, harm human health, and release an extraordinarily destructive greenhouse gas,” Schulman said.

Utility companies are required to fix any potentially explosive leak, but are not required to repair those deemed nonexplosive, no matter the size of the leak, HEET reports.

Legislators, including State Representative Lori Ehrlich (D-Marblehead), have proposed a bill that would prohibit utility companies from passing the expense of the wasted gas onto consumers. A second bill would require the utilities to fix all gas leaks in roads already opened up for other repairs.