Mass. DPU appoints firm to oversee explosion recovery work

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is requiring Nitsch Engineering to monitor Columbia Gas’s management in the next phase of work following the Sept. 13 gas explosions in Merrimack Valley, Mass.

Gas restoration and recovery efforts are now substantially complete. Now, Nitsch Engineering will oversee Columbia Gas’s progress in ensuring that adequate heat and hot water and gas appliances are provided to all affected properties, that all impacted streets and sidewalks are repaved, and replacing all gas boilers, furnaces, and other gas-fired equipment that were affected in the blasts.

“The months following the disaster in the Merrimack Valley have been an incredibly difficult and trying time for the residents of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, and our Administration is deeply grateful to Joe Albanese for leading the complex coordinated effort to return all affected residents safely to their homes,” Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We are proud to announce that Nitsch Engineering will begin their work monitoring Columbia Gas’s management of the next phase of the recovery effort alongside state and local officials to finish the task of rebuilding our communities and making residents whole.”

All work in this phase will begin in 2019 and will be completed no later than Oct. 31, 2019. Columbia Gas will be subject to penalties of up to $1 million if it does not comply with the state’s requirements in completing this work.

Nitsch Engineering will measure Columbia Gas’s progress, provide recommendations to Columbia Gas for addressing any delays or other deficiencies, monitor compliance with any agreements reached with affected communities, and work with Columbia Gas to keep the state and other stakeholders informed as to their progress in completing the remaining restoration work.

“With this Order, the Department of Public Utilities continues its commitment to holding Columbia Gas accountable to complete all remaining restoration work in a timely, safe and thorough manner,” Department of Public Utilities Chair Angela O’Connor said. “The Department will continue to carefully monitor the utilities’ recovery efforts while working to ensure the safety of the Commonwealth’s entire natural gas distribution system and operations.”

Also, the Department of Public Utilities tapped Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems, Inc. to conduct a statewide examination of the safety of the natural gas systems and operations of natural gas companies in the state.