Measuring and Mapping Methane Leaks

Gas Leak Measured at Proposed Metering & Regulating Station Site in West Roxbury, Massachusetts (Jan 4, 2016). Boston University Professor Nathan Phillips and his colleague, Bob Ackley, reported yesterday that they found gas leaks at multiple points along the route of the West Roxbury Lateral (from existing gas lines) where the proposed pipeline would end up next to the active quarry where there is regular dynamiting and found a large gas leak. Community Vigils at the site (Centre and Grove streets across from the entrance to West Roxbury Crushed Stone) – every Monday 6:30pm. Resist the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline. Information: www.resistthepipeline.org/#e.ngbh5d.cdnhre

Update from Audrey Schulman, http://www.heetma.org/

BU professor, Nathan Phillips, and Bob Ackley of Gas Safety USA are gearing up to drive across the US with a device that will continuously measure methane levels. The trip will end at Porter Ranch, the site of what is being called the worst environmental disaster since the BP oil spill.

This single leak accounts for 1/4 of the state's entire methane emissions. On top of that, it's expected repair date is all the way in March 2016. So far, 1600 families have evacuated the area and the FAA has implemented a no fly zone over the area. 

See more: LA TIMES Porter Ranch gas leak 

HEET will be in close contact with Phillips and Ackley as they travel, research, and conduct interviews to get a closer look at what is happening, how it happened, and where might we go from here. The trip will take place between January 4-14, so look forward to updates from HEET!  We'll be posting the info on HEET's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/HEETMA.


More: Mapping the Invisible: To Find Your Local Natural Gas Leak, Just Zoom In,  By Phil McKenna, Inside Climate News, Aug 25, 2015

Study finds 5,893 natural gas leaks in Washington, D.C. January 16, 2014  Phys.org 

Nathan Phillips is a meter-reader for the 21st century.

The College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of geography and environment recently piled into a Nissan Murano with collaborators Bob Ackley and Eric Crosson and rambled through the streets of greater Boston to hunt for natural gas leaks. With the help of a strange-looking vacuum device attached to the car just below the rear bumper, the three have found geysers of gas gushing invisibly from underground pipes corroded by age. The leaks, Phillips says, contribute to global warming, could create explosions in some extreme cases, have killed or damaged up to 10,000 trees in Massachusetts (a disputed matter under litigation), and shaft rate-paying gas customers who must pick up the tab for wasted gas.

Much more 

Lost and Unaccounted Natural Gas: Energy, Economics, and Environment Workshop: 

http://www.bu.edu/energy/lost-and-unaccounted-natural-gas-energy-economics-and-environment/
The purpose of this workshop is to explore and create awareness around “the unknown” – the extent – the cause – the locations – the how – of these methane gas leaks; to explore rural- urban environmental and economic interdependencies surrounding the natural gas resource and industry; and develop a consensus on a research strategy to address these findings. Leaders from government, research, citizens, utilities and private sector will gather to share information and brainstorm next steps.


Thousands of gas leaks in Boston area Boston Globe (August 17, 2011)

Extensive Methane Leaks Discovered Under Streets of Boston ScienceDaily (May 13, 2011)