DPU slams Nat’l Grid over safety, compliance
The state has accused National Grid of “persistent disregard for federal and state pipeline safety regulations,” even as the utility insisted Monday’s overpressurization incident in Woburn was well in hand, with gas service due to be restored tomorrow.
In a letter to National Grid sent Monday, DPU chairwoman Angela O’Connor criticized the company’s safety and compliance record.
In an order related to a rate request from National Grid last month, the DPU said National Grid has repeatedly missed the mark on safety regulations.
“There is a persistent pattern of poor management that has required the Department’s close scrutiny,” the DPU said. “The Companies’ persistent disregard for federal and state pipeline safety regulations, as evidenced by these numerous enforcement actions, shows a cavalier disregard for Department requirements and a failure to abide by pipeline safety laws and regulations to the detriment of the Companies’ ratepayers.”
Monday, a National Grid crew “inadvertently” added extra gas to a pipeline in Woburn, forcing the shutoff of gas service to 300 homes. The additional gas overpressurized a pipeline, according to the Department of Public Utilities, the same type of incident that led to dozens of fires and explosions in the Merrimack Valley. Woburn residents wondered whether they were next.
“I saw helicopters over Woburn, and then when I found out what was going on, my first thought was what happened in Lawrence in North Andover,” Pat Coppenrath, who lives near Monday’s incident, told the Herald. “I just ran outside when I found out. When you’re playing with gas, you’ve got to be careful.”
“It’s scary with what happened in Lawrence,” said Lauren Malone as she and her young son Declan walked near the site of Monday’s incident.
Yesterday, Marcy Reed, National Grid Massachusetts president, apologized to Woburn residents for the incident, and said service should be restored by tomorrow.
“My apologies for the inconvenience we’re causing. It clearly wasn’t something we planned,” she said. “I fully respect the DPU’s decision to issue a moratorium, they are concerned for public safety, it is always our top priority.”
The DPU imposed a moratorium on all nonemergency National Grid work on Monday, which will continue until a department review is complete. The agency has also asked for information on National Grid’s workforce and services related to the ongoing worker lockout. In a statement, National Grid said it will abide by the moratorium.
“We will take all necessary steps to comply with the DPU’s order. While we have confidence in our system and our workforce, it is extremely important that the public, and especially our customers, are confident in our safety practices,” said Christine Milligan, a National Grid spokeswoman. “We will work to provide the Department with the information they need to allow us to continue to provide safe and reliable gas service to our customers.”