Pick up pace of probe
Merrimack Valley residents deserve the best this state has to offer. And that means accountability — now.
The state needs to invest in the region and urge the feds to pick up the pace of the Columbia Gas investigation. Those who live and work in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover can’t wait two years for an answer.
What went wrong and could it all have been prevented? Moving quickly for answers could save more lives.
Gov. Charlie Baker met with business owners in Andover this week about next steps. That’s a start, but more needs to be done. Livelihoods are on the line.
“Most of those businesses weren’t talking so much about themselves, they were talking about their employees and their ability to hold on to their staff and make sure people have the ability to get paid even if their businesses can’t operate,” Baker said. “From our point of view, that is fundamentally what this is ultimately all about.”
Over 100 businesses, including 67 food establishments, are unable to open, according to Town Manager Andrew Flanagan. “There’s no gas, so they don’t have the ability to cook. They have no hot water, so they have no ability to dish wash,” Flanagan said.
Columbia Gas had a claim center in Andover, where several hundred residents and businesses owners came through to submit expenses.
Columbia Gas, though initially moving slowly, has shown some initiative in its efforts to make good on its responsibility to the affected communities. It is donating $10 million to the disaster relief fund to help those affected by the Merrimack Valley gas line malfunctions. The Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund was announced Monday to focus on humanitarian issues associated with the incident.
Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas, described the donation as a “step in a long process.”
“I want to acknowledge and recognize the fact that this event has resulted in a profound impact on the communities — citizens of these communities are hurting,” Bryant said in a press conference at the Lawrence Senior Center.
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said the utility is “living up to their corporate responsibility” with the donation. “There are going to be gaps in their bureaucracy, there are going to be gaps in the government’s bureaucracy and this fund stands to bridge those gaps. Resources, dollars shouldn’t be the things that make the difference between making someone comfortable and safe and not.”
Gov. Baker has done a good job in managing the situation so far, and he must stay on top of Columbia Gas to make sure that the immediate, glaring problems are rectified. There will be many more challenges as we head into colder weather. Merrimack Valley resident are going to need their elected officials advocating for them more ardently than ever.