Activists have left no stone unturned when it comes to drawing attention to the 91 natural gas leaks in Northampton — leaks that could soon be fixed thanks to new state regulations OK’d by the Legislature.
Climate-minded local groups like Mothers Out Front and twodegrees@greenneighbors.earth staged a protest, held meetings, contacted local leaders and even took to the streets with flags in hand to mark the city’s largest leaks in July.
Lawmakers heard, inserting a provision into a compromised energy bill approved July 31 that will require utility companies to identify the environmental impact of gas leaks, and pushes companies to establish a timeline to repair the leaks. The bill also requires utilities to procure large quantities of hydroelectric and offshore wind power to meet the state’s energy demands.
This gas leak addition delights Mothers Out Front spokeswoman Andra Rose of Amherst.
“First, you have to raise awareness and let people know the gas leaks are there,” Rose said. “They’re here, next to the playground. They’re on your campus. It’s a surprise to people when they find that out, and it’s very motivational.”
In the past, gas leaks were prioritized only by their location, regardless of their volume. The most severe are a top priority for repair, and typically occur in enclosed spaces where explosion is likely.
Leaks like those in Northampton, however, are classified as Grade 3, meaning they are not in enclosed spaces and pose little risk for explosion, so gas companies simply monitor them.
Currently, utility companies are required to report the age and location of all known gas leaks. Legislation passed in 2014 requires utilities to repair leaks during street construction that exposes pipelines and focus on fixing leaks near schools.
The bill passed late last month will require gas companies to measure the volume of Grade 3 leaks and set a timeline to repair the largest leaks.
“They have to measure and report the volume of these leaks,” Rose said. “We can do a lot of good for the climate by fixing a limited number of those leaks right away.”
Jesse Lederman, a spokesman for the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, said his organization is glad to see the language around gas leaks in the bill. He thinks the bill represents a shift in focus. The methane gas the leaks release poses a threat to the environment, he said.
“It was about how likely (the leaks are) to harm people,” Lederman said. “And not how much gas is going into the atmosphere and how much gas we’re wasting.”
In addition to the environmental risk, the leaks are expensive. A 2013 report released by U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said Massachusetts residents paid up to $1.5 billion for gas lost in leaky pipes from 2000 to 2011.
Lederman and Rose agreed other gas companies will be playing catch up to Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. The company, which serves Northampton, has been working with activists “in good faith” since community concerns were raised this spring, Lederman said.
“Columbia Gas is ahead of the curve,” Lederman said, saying the company has been responsive to concerns. “I’m glad the rest of the commonwealth will move forward now.”
Rose said Steve Bryant, CEO of Columbia Gas, has listened to the concerns of the community. She expects Columbia Gas will “zoom ahead and take the lead” when it comes to gas leak repair in Massachusetts.
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts spokeswoman Andrea Luppi was unable to be reached for comment Wednesday. But in June she told the Gazette that the company is spending $80 million annually to replace all cast iron and bare steel pipes across its service area.
Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, praised the bill, explaining it represents a departure from reliance on fossil fuels and natural gas.
“It’s a good start, it’s a good step in the right direction,” he said. “It focuses on renewable energy and diversifying the state’s energy portfolio with wind and hydroelectric.”
The compromise bill calls for the procurement of 1,600 megawatts of both offshore wind and hydropower. Initially, the Senate sought 2,000 megawatts and the House called for 1,200 megawatts, according to Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield.
Mark said the hydropower will likely come from Canada. He said the bill will “hopefully prevent gas pipelines” by diversifying the state energy portfolio and shrinking the need for natural gas and fossil fuels to meet the state’s energy demand.
Mark said it was a “big win” when a proposed tariff on electric to pay for a pipeline project was kept out of the bill.
“In my district, where there are so many little towns that will never get the benefits of a pipeline,” Mark said. “It is ridiculous to make them pay for something they will never benefit from.”
Additionally, the bill calls for renewable energy projects to be funded by renewable bonds. Mark said the bonds will promote commercial and residential projects.