Mass. DPU orders Columbia Gas to stop all non-emergency work

BOSTON — The state's Department of Public Utilities has ordered Columbia Gas to halt all work, except for emergency and compliance work until at least December 1.

The moratorium comes after the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report of what led to the Merrimack Valley explosions as well as an ongoing inspection of Columbia Gas' gas system.

"Following the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report and as a result of ongoing inspections of Columbia Gas's gas system, the Department of Public Utilities, under its regulatory authority over the gas distribution system, has ordered Columbia Gas to impose a moratorium on all work, except for emergency and compliance work, across the company's entire service territory until at least December 1, 2018, said Peter Lorenz, the Communications Director for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. "The order will not impede the emergency restoration services in the Merrimack Valley and allows the DPU to approve additional work upon request by the company. Separately, the Department is in the process of hiring an Independent Evaluator to assess, out of an abundance of caution, the safety of pipeline infrastructure throughout Massachusetts."

This order comes after a moratorium was ordered for National Grid following a gas line incident in Woburn earlier in the week.

"Given that that really oughta be, and should be, their primary focus, at least through the end of November, I think our view is they shouldn't be doing anything unless its statutorily required or emergency work," Governor Charlie Baker said.

Columbia Gas said, as of Friday, they had finished replacing about half of the affected gas line, about a month into the project with about a month to go.

This week, the DPU issued an advisory for pipeline operators to immediately review the specific procedures followed to ensure the best practices are being implemented in their work.

Earlier this month, the Department of Public Utilities, based on information provided by residents, launched an investigation into safety violations and possible failures to follow procedures and federal pipeline safety regulations and has required the company to provide additional information by Nov. 13, 2018.

An independent evaluator will also be hired to conduct a statewide examination of the safety of natural gas distribution system within the Commonwealth.

>> RELATED: National Grid ordered to halt all non-emergency work

The gas explosions left many looking for help and answers, including local businesses throughout Andover, Lawrence and North Andover.

One restaurant that was impacted by the lack of gas service was Shadi's Restaurant, who was left with no way to continue to do business.

“After the gas incident on September the 13th, we all evacuated and we were closed for three weeks," Shadi Asmar said.

Now, the "open" sign is back on, and they're as busy as ever with many residents unable to cook at home.

"There are a lot of people going out looking for a hot meal," Asmar said. "We are lucky that it was only three weeks. There are many more that it will be many more weeks until they get it back."

Saturday will mark one month since the deadly explosions and gas fires, leaving a lasting impact on the Merrimack Valley.

"Here we are in North Andover, still a lot of residents are affected," Asmar said. "Andover is right down the street. South Lawrence is right there, and there are still thousands that are still impacted, and it will be weeks until they all have gas in their homes."

Columbia Gas says it has restored service to about 60 percent of its commercial customers, with crews from around the country working to replace nearly 50 miles of pipeline.

As of Friday, 25 miles of the line were finished, and the company still estimates they will have it all complete by November 19.

Columbia Gas says they are paying out nearly $13 million in claims at the moment, but the process is continuing and the number will rise.

Cox Media Group