LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts officials are opening their own investigation into last September’s Merrimack Valley natural gas disaster.
More than 100 structures were damaged in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover in the Sept. 13, 2018, fires and explosions. One person died and dozens were injured.
Matthew Nelson, chair of the state Department of Public Utilities, said Friday his agency will look into the cause as well as the response. He said the investigation would take at least a year and could lead to penalties against Columbia Gas.
Nelson made the announcement during a forum in Lawrence focused on the National Transportation Safety Board’s recently completed investigation. The agency concluded Columbia Gas poorly planned a pipeline replacement project and responded inadequately to the disaster.
“Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ weak engineering management that did not adequately plan, review, sequence and oversee the construction project,” NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said.
The company said it will cooperate with the state’s investigation.
“The NTSB’s work is an important step in the effort to enhance pipeline safety. Our own understanding of events generally aligns with that of the NTSB. We look forward to reading the final report and welcome it because it will help us, our industry partners, the public and others learn from this tragedy. As we’ve said since that tragic day, we take responsibility for what happened.”
On Friday, community leaders and federal investigators held a meeting at the Lawrence Public Library where local families voiced their concerns for their safety.
Following the meeting, those leaders said they feel the utility company needs to do more.
“If Columbia Gas can not operate safely then it should not be allowed to operate in the state of Massachusetts,” Representative Ed Markey said.
Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera followed those remarks up by saying, “The report says exactly what happened but justice will be judged on what happens after this.”
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