AG’s office unhappy with Columbia Gas progress
Says company is ‘failing’ Merrimack Valley residents
Attorney General Maura Healey’s office blasted Columbia Gas yesterday, saying the company is not doing enough in its efforts to restore service to the Merrimack Valley as some elected officials expressed doubt that Columbia Gas will be able to meet its Nov. 19 deadline.
“While your company has repeatedly assured the public and government officials that it has the situation under control, our experience assisting residents shows that on many fronts, Columbia Gas is failing,” wrote Glenn Kaplan, chief of Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division in a letter to Columbia.
Kaplan said Columbia’s efforts are falling short and may cause the company to miss the deadline to restore full service.
“Unless the company significantly increases the resources applied to the block-by-block repair process, thousands of homes will be left with no heat amidst winter temperatures. Without mitigation, the damage from frozen pipes will be enormous,” Kaplan wrote.
“Columbia Gas must be clear and forthcoming with residents about the timeline for full restoration and take active steps to ensure that residents are protected in the event of delays.”
Columbia is behind schedule in replacing appliances and preparing homes for gas service, according to company data as of Oct. 21.
Columbia has said it diverted resources to restore gas service to some vulnerable residents, which caused it to fall behind schedule.
Yesterday, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said there have been signs the company is falling behind.
“We’ve been sensing the date was in jeopardy for a couple days,” Rivera said. “I want it to happen fast, and we’re concerned that it may move the date from the 19th.”
Gov. Charlie Baker said he and others are reviewing the project’s progress, and will have an update tomorrow.