nathanpbostonMay 18, 2023

I’m grateful that the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy has issued this letter strongly supporting the call by Council President Albright and Public Facilities Chair Leary, for a #DPUInvestigation of the #WalnutStreetGasExplosions

https://www.newtonma.gov/government/climate-and-sustainability/citizens-commission-on-energy

Show threadnathanpbostonMay 5, 2023
This gas leak, currently on the books at #MassDPU as a grade 3 leak of Significant Environmental Impact (SEI), aka “superemitter”, and on the books as a known and documented leak at that address on June 20, 2022, when the injury explosion occurred, is the one that I discovered yesterday that was actually a grade 1 hazardous leak in an explosive condition. #DPUInvestigation
nathanpbostonMay 4, 2023

I’ve drafted a call for an official #DPUInvestigation of the #WalnutStreetGasExplosion in the #CityOfNewtonMA and welcome suggestions on how my wording can be improved to strengthen the case:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DkYcspWYtKfKp0d_NtUJzbiKXvZrhQUTShwS2cXMHAI/edit

Call for a Mass DPU Investigation into explosions on April 6, 2023, in Newton, MA

Call for a Mass DPU Investigation into explosions on April 6, 2023, in Newton, MA Including facts demonstrating that National Grid Gas, Eversource Electric, and the City of Newton, know about and are concerned with the safety hazard of natural gas leaking into confined spaces associated with high...

Google Docs
nathanpbostonMay 2, 2023
#NationalGrid gas continues to leak into #Eversource high voltage infrastructure underground confined space. Photo taken minutes ago, at 960 Walnut Street, near the repeatedly unsuccessfully repaired Grade 1 hazardous leak. I called NGrid. #DPUInvestigation #WalnutStreetExplosion
Show threadnathanpbostonApr 30, 2023

9/9

As for the #DPUInvestigation, an actionable outcome will be a more stringent leak grading criterion that states that ANY detectable gas in an electric utility hole over a subsurface high voltage line must be categorized as a Grade 1 Hazardous leak.

The leak that exploded was listed as a Grade 3 non-hazardous "superemitter". Since it exploded, the Grade 3 was clearly incorrect. It wasn't non-hazardous - it was very hazardous. That false grading scheme must be fixed for public safety. END

nathanpbostonApr 30, 2023

9/9

As for the #DPUInvestigation, an actionable outcome will be a more stringent leak grading criterion that states that ANY detectable gas in an electric utility hole over a subsurface high voltage line must be categorized as a Grade 1 Hazardous leak.

The leak that exploded was listed as a Grade 3 non-hazardous "superemitter". Since it exploded, the Grade 3 was clearly incorrect. It wasn't non-hazardous - it was very hazardous. That false grading scheme must be fixed for public safety. END

nathanpbostonApr 29, 2023
#DPUInvestigation of the #WalnutStreetGasExplosion has begun. First communication to me (left) and my initial response (right). #CityOfNewtonMA
Show threadnathanpbostonApr 28, 2023
The #NewtonFD incident record will show they called #NGrid even though the gas is in an #Eversource electric utility hole. That will demonstrate that they know the source of the gas in the high voltage electric infrastructure. #DPUInvestigation #WalnutStreetGasExplosion
nathanpbostonApr 28, 2023
Called 911. 0.30% gas sustained in #Eversource confined space above 13.8kV electric line next to leaking gas mains. #DPUInvestigation #WalnutStreetGasExplosion
nathanpbostonApr 28, 2023
Thank you #MassDPU for being responsive to my concern for public safety on Walnut St., #CityOfNewtonMA, where we are calling for a #DPUInvestigation on the #WalnutStreetGasExplosion