Map Reveals 104 Natural Gas Leaks in Melrose

Dozens of potentially damaging natural gas leaks have been pinpointed across the City of Melrose.

The location of over 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), Melrose has 104 gas leaks, the oldest of which dates back to 1990.

Click here to view Melrose’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 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.