Merrimack Valley Explosions

Stories on the 9/13/18 gas explosions and fires that rocked three communities

Last year's Columbia Gas disaster in the Merrimack Valley displaced thousands of people and damaged homes such as this one on Jefferson Street in Lawrence. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

$56M Explosions Settlement Between Columbia Gas, Massachusetts Approved

The settlement with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and its parent, NiSource, was agreed to in July and approved Wednesday, the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs announced in...

Local Coverage

Oct 8, 2020

Columbia Gas To Pay $56M Settlement In Merrimack Valley Explosions Investigation

The $56 million payment from parent company NiSource -- a larger sum than the $53 million criminal fine imposed by a federal judge -- will form the basis of a...

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Jul 2, 2020

$143 Million Columbia Gas Settlement Gets Final Approval From Judge

The resolution of a class action civil case comes two weeks after Columbia Gas agreed to plead guilty in a criminal proceeding, acknowledging it violated the federal Pipeline Safety Act.

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Mar 12, 2020

Columbia Gas Will Leave Mass. As It Pleads Guilty To Federal Charge After Disaster

The office of U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling said Wednesday that it has secured a guilty plea from Columbia Gas, 17 months after the utility’s deadly pipeline disaster in...

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02:52Feb 26, 2020

Deadline To File Claim In Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions Approaching

Friday is the deadline to file a claim in the $143 million class action settlement stemming from 2018's natural gas explosions and fires.

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Jan 31, 2020

$143M Columbia Gas Settlement Gets Preliminary Approval From Judge

Columbia Gas must begin mailing claim forms to about 175,000 residents and business owners who are eligible to collect payments.

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Oct 11, 2019

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts President Mark Kempic speak during a news conference Sept. 27 about the gas leak. (Quincy Walters/WBUR)

Mayor, Lawmakers Object To $143M Gas Explosions Settlement

Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera and four state lawmakers have proposed a new payout plan that includes $20 million for public safety improvements in light of a recent major gas leak...

Local Coverage

Oct 8, 2019

Utility contractors dig up the road above natural gas lines along Dracut Street in Lawrence, Mass., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018. Nearly 9,000 homes and businesses may be without gas for weeks as investigators continue to probe what set off the explosions last Thursday in the Merrimack Valley area serviced by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. (Charles Krupa/AP)

State Halts Columbia Gas Pipeline Work Amid Concerns

The Department of Public Utilities ordered Columbia Gas to stop all work on its gas distribution systems in all service territories, including Lawrence, Springfield and Brockton, unless explicitly approved by...

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Oct 4, 2019

In this Sept. 14, 2018, file photo, a Columbia Gas crew works to make sure there are no gas leaks at the corner of Parker and Salem streets in Lawrence. (Mary Schwalm/AP)

Lawyers Propose Plan For $143M Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions Settlement

The proposal calls for six categories of lump sum payouts, ranging from up to $50 for a "nominal" disruption to up to $15,000 for a "major" disruption.

Local Coverage

Sep 26, 2019

Lucianny Rondon held a replica of a plaque marking the new Leonel A. Rondon Square in Lawrence, as she addressed reporters on the anniversary of her brother's death in a gas explosion. (Callum Borchers/WBUR)

Lawrence Dedicates Square To Leonel Rondon On Anniversary Of Columbia Gas Disaster

A new plaque honors the teen who died one year ago in an explosion caused by faulty pipe work on a Columbia Gas line. In an unnerving twist, the faint...

Local Coverage

Sep 13, 2019

Utility contractors dig up the road above natural gas lines along Dracut Street in Lawrence. (Charles Krupa/AP)

A Year After Merrimack Valley Explosions, Lawrence Mayor Says Community Is Still Repairing

Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera joined WBUR's Morning Edition host Bob Oakes to discuss the work left to be done for the city to fully recover.

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05:47Sep 13, 2019

Fire investigators pause while searching the debris at a home which exploded last week following a gas line failure in Lawrence, Mass., Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Nearly 9,000 homes and businesses may be without gas for weeks as investigators continue to probe what set off the explosions. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Looking Back At The Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions, 1 Year Later

A year ago Friday a series of gas explosions shook the Merrimack Valley region. Here are some numbers to help explain what's happened since this deadly disaster first occurred.

Local Coverage

Sep 13, 2019

Columbia Gas Must Inspect 700 Lines Abandoned After Last Year's Merrimack Valley Explosions

The state's Department of Public Utilities will monitor the progress of Columbia Gas as the utility inspects 700 gas lines abandoned after last year's Merrimack Valley explosions.

Local Coverage

Sep 12, 2019

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, seen here in Boston in 2013, managed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the One Fund, to help people affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. (Elise Amendola/AP)

How Money In A Columbia Gas Settlement Fund Might Be Distributed

Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who managed a fund for Boston Marathon bombing victims, explains how a fund for victims of last year's gas pipeline explosions might work.

Local Coverage

Jul 30, 2019

A bicyclist takes a turn at a road block as utility contractors dig up the road above natural gas lines along Brookfield Street in Lawrence, Mass. in September 2018. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Columbia Gas Reaches $143 Million Agreement With Residents, Businesses For Gas Explosions

The settlement applies to thousands of businesses and residents in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover that had sued Columbia.

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02:31Jul 29, 2019

Businesses Still Struggle To Bounce Back From Columbia Gas Explosions After Nearly A Year

Nearly a year after the deadly Columbia Gas explosions, one-third of affected businesses are not operating like they were before the disaster.

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03:40Jul 9, 2019

In this 2018 file photo, Doug Sheff, right, an attorney for the family of Leonel Rondon, pictured at left, faces reporters during a news conference, in Boston. Rondon, 18, died Sept. 13, 2018, in Lawrence after the chimney of an exploding house crashed on to his car. (Steven Senne/AP)

Columbia Gas Reaches Settlement With Family Of Teen Killed In Explosions

Also Tuesday, officials announced a campaign to reinvigorate the local economy by encouraging people to shop in the area.

Local Coverage

Jul 9, 2019

Columbia Gas Reaches $80 Million Settlement With Communities Affected By Gas Explosions

Andover, Lawrence and North Andover will receive a settlement to cover the costs of digging up about 50 miles of roadway for gas line replacement, as well as associated overtime,...

Local Coverage

May 7, 2019

An aerial view of the damaged home in Lawrence where 18-year-old Leonel Rondon was killed due to the gas explosions. (Courtesy National Transportation Safety Board)

Columbia Gas Settles With Lawrence Family Hurt In Explosions

The utility and the family didn't disclose the settlement amount, but said it includes providing a motorized wheelchair, a mobility van and modifications to the family's Lawrence home.

Local Coverage

Apr 30, 2019

'No More Slaps On The Wrist': Markey, Trahan Propose Pipeline Bill With Far Stiffer Penalties

The legislation is in response to the explosions and fires in Merrimack Valley last year.

Local Coverage

Apr 8, 2019