State lawmakers begin digging into natural gas disaster

Doug Sheff, right, an attorney for the family of Leonel Rondon, pictured at left, faces reporters during a news conference, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Boston. Rondon died in September when dozens of gas explosions ripped through three Massachusetts communities. Sheff told reporters Columbia Gas was reckless and should have to pay for Rondon's death, saying the complaint will be filed at a later date. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

BOSTON — State lawmakers will kick off oversight hearings on the gas disaster in the Merrimack Valley this week.

The state senate is looking into the Massachusetts' natural gas system. Their first hearing will focus on gas pipeline safety.

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A second hearing in mid-December will be tailored specifically to September's explosions.

Senate President Karen Spilka says the senate needs answers about exactly what happened.

She says residents deserve to know more about current oversight and how workforce issues are impacting the industry.

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