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- Gas Infrastructure Audit
Gas Infrastructure Audit
Like many towns in Massachusetts, Weston has a gas leak problem due to the state’s aging gas infrastructure, which is the second oldest in the country. At the end of 2017, National Grid, Weston’s gas service provider, reported 141 unrepaired gas leaks in town, some of which were over 20 years old.
Not only are gas leaks a safety concern, but they are also an environmental and health issue for our community. Methane is 86-times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide over the first 20 years in the atmosphere, contributing significantly to the climate crisis.
With the support of the Town's newly established Sustainability Committee, the local citizens' group, Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG), approached the Select Board with a request for the Town to conduct an independent audit of its gas infrastructure in order to better understand its full condition.
Audit Results
The results of the Final Audit confirm the gas leak problem in Weston is worse than reported:
- December 2017: National Grid reported 141 Grade 3 unrepaired gas leaks
- December 2018 National Grid reported 175 Grade 3 unrepaired gas leaks
- June 2019 Weston Gas Infrastructure Audit confirmed 295 unrepaired gas leaks:
- 102 leaks were measured at 2,000 sq. ft. or more*
- 166 leaks were misclassified: 2 leaks were identified as Grade 1 leaks for immediate repair; 164 leaks were identified as Grade 2 leaks, as the gas leak had already or was at risk of causing damage to property, including trees, shrubs, and lawns
- A total of 325 trees were identified as either already compromised or at risk, due to their location in the gas leak zone
SWAG prepared a one-page summary of the Gas Audit Analysis (PDF) for download.
* Under new Department of Public Utilities (DPU) ruling, these are classified as “Significant Environmental Impact” leaks (SEI). In Massachusetts, the average percentage of known leaks classified as SEI for a community is 5-7%. In Weston, 35% of the leaks are SEI classified. Two of those are exceptionally large at over 10,000 sq. ft.
Interactive Audit Report
Below is an interactive map showing the location of all unrepaired gas leaks in Weston confirmed in the audit that was conducted in 2019. Click on a leak location pin to get more information about that leak including the exact location, date reported, leak size, trees impacted, and a link to a detailed sketch of the leak extent.
Regular leaks = leaks that measure <2,000 square feet
Large volume leaks (SEIs) = Significant Environmental Impact leaks according to the Mass. Department of Public Utilities regulation, measuring 2,000 square feet or more
The map was created by HEET - Home Energy Efficiency Team - a non-profit organization in Massachusetts working to improve energy efficiency in homes and communities across the state. See more at www.heetma.org
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Benefits to Weston
As a result of the Gas Infrastructure Audit, the Town of Weston benefits in four key ways.
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Leak Survey and Audit
With the support of the Sustainability Committee, members of SWAG made a request to the Select Board for an independent audit of the Town's gas infrastructure in order to better understand its full condition.
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Public Outreach & Representation
Members of SWAG have been leading public forums to educate the public about the impacts of leaking gas infrastructure, as well as representing Weston in state meetings and legislature.
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Understanding Leak Grades & Repairs
Lean what the different leak grades mean and the prioritization for repair.
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