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

Gas Leaks Dwarf Savings from Conservation 
The pipes under the streets of Massachusetts are leaking natural gas. Huge amounts. A fact that drives Audrey Schulman crazy. 

“I read an article about old leaky pipes in Boston and there was one line that said the amount of gas leaked in the city each year totally dwarfs the amount that Mass Save saves,” she said.

Mass Save is a statewide energy efficiency organization run by the utilities and funded by a small surcharge on our energy bills. The money is used to help homeowners and businesses reduce their energy bills through free energy assessments and incentives like rebates to homeowners who insulate their homes or install a more efficient heating system.

Schulman runs a non-profit called HEET, which helps non-profits access rebates and services from Mass Save so they can save money and “save the planet,” she said. “In the Cambridge YMCA, the work we helped them with this year will reduce their energy bill by almost $50,000 a year,” said Schulman. But she remains frustrated that her efforts to cut greenhouse gases are offset by the leaks in Boston (where half of the pipes are over 50 years old) that should be repaired. “I’m swimming against the tide!” ...

...The problem of decaying infrastructure and gas leaks is not just a local problem, it’s nationwide. “There’s a single gas leak in California,” said Schulman,” that spills enough methane into the air to equal 25% of that state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.”

Read the complete article: HEET: Too Many Holes in Energy Policy, Jewish Journal, Todd Feinburg, Jewish Journal Editor, January 07, 2016.

HEET has mapped the utility companies' gas data by town to create Google maps of 147 Massachusetts towns and cities