Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, the assumed name of Bay State Gas Company, was a supplier of retail natural gas to over 300,000 customers in parts of Massachusetts surrounding Springfield, Brockton, and Lawrence. It was a subsidiary of NiSource. The company's operations in New Hampshire and Maine were sold to Unitil Corporation in 2008.
The company received attention after the Merrimack Valley gas explosions in September 2018. In February 2020, it was announced that energy company Eversource would acquire the Massachusetts gas assets of Columbia Gas for $1.1 billion.[1] Columbia Gas was also ordered to pay a $53 million fine for violating the Pipeline Safety Act.[2] The acquisition by Eversource was completed in October 2020, effectively ending Columbia Gas operations in Massachusetts.[3]
2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions
editOn September 13, 2018, starting at approximately 4:20 PM, three Merrimack Valley communities supplied by Columbia—Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, Massachusetts—suffered numerous fires and explosions as a result of an over-pressurized subterranean gas line.[4] Massachusetts authorities evacuated the communities and the American Red Cross deployed and set up numerous shelters in nearby communities for those who were displaced by the explosions and subsequent fires. On September 14, Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, and issued a decree appointing Eversource to evaluate and oversee the management of the gas distribution system in the affected area.
This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2018) |
The company remained without response for almost an entire day following the incidents in Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover. The CEO was criticized by the governor, as well as several town and city leaders.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Eversource To Purchase Columbia Gas Assets In Mass. For $1.1B". CBS Boston. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Columbia Gas Will Pay $53M Fine For Merrimack Valley Explosions". CBS Boston. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Eversource Officially Acquires Columbia Gas As Result Of 2018 Explosions". CBS Boston. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "18-year-old man killed by falling chimney from exploding house in Lawrence". WCVB. 14 September 2018.
External links
edit- Columbia Gas of Massachusetts homepage - last archive of homepage before Eversource acquisition.
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