Fw: North Quabbin Energy News - Columbia Gas Explosions and Fires Plus Regional Events
Pat Larson
PRESS STATEMENT
from North Quabbin Energy on Columbia Gas Explosions and Fires
September 18, 2018
Diane Nassif (diane...@gmail.com) a member of the No. Quabbin Energy Core Group compiled the following statement with help from other members.
Please Read and Share:
The members of North Quabbin Energy are disturbed by the violent explosions and fires that occurred recently in Eastern Massachusetts. Outdated and neglected pipeline infrastructure owned by Columbia Gas caused the disaster which killed one person, injured others, and required thousands to be evacuated.
South Lawrence experienced explosions and fires with similar impacts to contiguous sections of Andover and North Andover. These are densely populated areas with older housing and infrastructure, home to, among others, Hispanic and low-income residents. Many people, myself included when I lived there in the 1980's and ‘90's, were encouraged to convert oil burners and electric hot water heaters to gas because it was cheaper.
Because of Columbia Gas Company’s lack of investment, Lawrence has now become a "sacrifice zone" in our state; a community of color forced to carry the toxic burden of industry’s addiction to fossil fuels.
If our long-range vision – and very real need -- is to replace climate and health damaging fossil fuel infrastructure with flexible, locally-based renewable systems, shouldn't Governor Baker, and Eversource -- now project managing the situation -- replace this dangerous infrastructure with renewable energy? Damaged or destroyed homes should be retrofitted with renewable infrastructure at Columbia Gas Company’s expense.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to have had my gas boiler, hot water heater or stove (or all three) randomly catch fire or explode. Neither can I imagine what it would
be like to have that infrastructure "repaired" and then worry about having disaster happen again.
This is also an opportunity to call Governor Baker's attention to the folly of building out additional gas infrastructure, as proposed by Columbia Gas for Western Mass. New pipelines are not needed. We should take the opportunity to replace dangerous infrastructure and make residents of Massachusetts less vulnerable to disasters like the one that took place in South Lawrence. Climate change, race and class are all connected and we should keep that in mind as we work for the energy transition needed, wherever we live.
Along with this statement we send what help we can offer, and urge others to donate directly to Groundwork Lawrence (www.groundworklawrence.org/) and other local organizations to support those affected. And we demand that Columbia Gas provide emergency relief, housing and reparations to the victims at their expense.
Diane Nassif, for North Quabbin Energy, an informal network in north-central Massachusetts since 2005 that supports and facilitates communication with people and town energy committees to promote conservation and safe, fossil-free energy use. North Quabbin Energy is part of Mass Power Forward (a coalition of 140 organizations across the state concerned with energy issues) and also part of MCAN (Massachusetts Climate Action Network).
Upcoming Events in North Quabbin Region --
Tuesday, Sept. 25th at 7 p.m. at Harvard Forest in Petersham -- Author Event to Explore How Past Disasters Can Inform Climate Action -- Hear Lisa Gardiner talk about her new book.
Saturday & Sunday,
Sept. 29-30 – 20th Annual Garlic and Arts Festival.
Be sure to visit the Portal to the Future.
The theme this year is “Re-Generation”.
North Quabbin Energy, Quabbin Harvest, the Renewable Energy/Local Living Tent, Bart’s Ice Cream, Bowl Turning, E-Bikes, the Rich Earth Institute, Holyoke Hummus, and Kailash Kitchen along with demonstrations/games will be in the “Portal to the Future.” See attached flyer for Renewable Energy/Local Living Talks.