AS ONE of the lead advocates behind passage of last year’s gas leaks law, I’m glad to see the Globe reporting on its results (“Leaks widespread in state’s gas lines,” Page A1, Aug. 21). The thousands of leaks on our state’s gas distribution lines present a serious threat to communities, consumers, and our climate. Thanks to the accelerated replacement program created by the law, and newly public information about our utility infrastructure, we are beginning to address this problem.
Nevertheless, more must be done to protect our environment and our pocketbooks.
First, we need to end the so-called cost recovery that burdens ratepayers with gas lost by utility players. Second, we need to seriously evaluate any proposals to expand gas infrastructure against the much-needed repair, modernization, and clean energy opportunities before us.
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In the 1980s, when the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority proposed building a new $500 million water pipeline from the Connecticut River Valley, Connecticut refused to sell its water. The MWRA was forced to enact water conservation measures. We should take this precedent to heart when we consider new gas pipelines.