Ohio Public Utilities Commission to help with gas restoration in Massachusetts

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) will send natural gas pipeline safety experts to Massachusetts to assist with gas restoration following the natural gas explosions that hit the Merrimack Valley in September.

One person died and about 25 were injured as a result of explosions caused by over pressurized gas mains that hit 39 homes in the Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover areas on Sept. 13. It left about 9,000 people without gas service. Columbia Gas has deployed 3,000 workers to restore gas to the area by Nov. 19.

PUCO will assist the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities as it works to restore service.

“Ohio is pleased to lend a helping hand by providing qualified safety experts in a time of need,” PUCO Chairman Asim Haque said. “Ohio’s safety program routinely scores perfect ratings from the US Department of Transportation.”

Two natural gas pipeline safety inspectors from PUCO will work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU), which is overseeing the project, for five weeks starting Oct. 14. The local utility, Columbia Gas, will repair and replace nearly 55 miles of natural gas distribution infrastructure over the next six weeks.

PUCO oversees more than 56,000 miles of distribution lines in Ohio. Its natural gas pipeline safety program has scored a perfect rating from the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.