State Opens Formal Investigations Of Merrimack Valley Explosions

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Department of Public Utilities has opened two formal investigations into the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions, they announced Friday. The investigations come on the heels of the National Transportation Safety Board's final report released Thursday, which found that "weak engineering management" by Columbia Gas was responsible for the deadly explosions. The Department already has an active moratorium on non-emergency work by Columbia gas in place, as part of a dozen orders related to the emergency response issued over the 13 months since the explosions.

“The Commonwealth has a duty to ensure the safety of the public and natural gas infrastructure, and is committed to a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the tragic events in the Merrimack Valley,” said Department Chair Matthew Nelson in a statement. “While substantive changes have been made in the months since the incident, including requiring certified professional engineers to approve natural gas work and ensuring that all natural gas companies adopt recommended comprehensive pipeline safety management standards, these investigations will help ensure any further necessary system improvements are made, and will take place in a transparent and public manner to provide residents every opportunity to be part of the process.”

According to the transportation safety board report released Thursday, a crucial step in the abandonment of an old cast iron gas line was skipped by Columbia Gas crews, resulting in misreadings of gas pressure and thus the release of high pressure gas into a low pressure system, which could not handle the pressure. That step was skipped due to "inadequate planning, documentation and record-keeping," the investigators found. The accident ultimately killed one, injured 22, and damaged 131 structures in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover, as well as leaving many residents unable to return to their homes for months.

The company, a subsidiary of NiSource, reached settlements with the three communities and in a class action lawsuit totaling over $200 million.

Columbia Gas could face additional multi-million dollar financial penalties based on the state's investigations, they said. There are two investigations, one into the company's "responsibility and response for" the accidents and one for their "preparation and response." The state will investigate Columbia Gas's compliance with state and federal regulations in relation to the accident.

"The [Department of Public Utilities] will also investigate Columbia Gas’ preparation for the gas incident and the company’s implementation of its emergency response plan, including an examination of the company’s preparation for and management of, the restoration efforts; public safety; allocation of resources to affected municipalities; timely and accurate communication with state, municipal, and public safety officials; and dissemination of timely information to the public," the report continues.

The Department "will soon issue a schedule for the investigations outlining key dates, such as the deadlines for filing testimony and public comment and when the [Department of Public Utilities] will conduct its hearings. The investigations are expected to take at least one year and will include at least one public hearing in the Merrimack Valley to solicit public comments," the press release said.

Christopher Huffaker: 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.