Columbia Gas continues to fall behind on a key part of its restoration plan in the Merrimack Valley where thousands without heat or hot water are waiting to return from temporary housing to their homes.
It's been almost 6 weeks since the gas explosions and fires, and there's now less than four weeks to go until the November 19th target date the company set to restore gas service to all of its customers.
WGBH news first reported this week on the gap between Columbia's own weekly goals to get homes and businesses ready for service and what's actually been accomplished.
The gap is widening by the day, with the company on Wednesday releasing figures in its daily briefing showing them to be behind by 864 customers. That’s more than the 754 homes and businesses readied for restoration so far out of a total of 7,772.
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera says he thinks the November 19th target date is in jeopardy.
“I'm frustrated and angry that we're in this situation," Rivera said. "And if they [Columbia Gas] have got to move the date, I'm also angry and frustrated. But you know, I want them to be shooting for the moon. I want them to create a date that they're going to bust their tails to get to. And then I want them to tell me what's going on honestly."
Rivera says he is pleased with progress on pipeline replacement and alternative housing for those without heat.
Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at a press conference in Andover Wednesday morning where he, Rivera and others were announcing an additional $2 million for the Merrimack Valley Small Business Emergency Loan Fund. Baker echoed Rivera, saying that replacing mainline piping and service lines to customers were either ahead of or on track, and that making customers ready for restoration was lagging.
“But I think it's fair to say at this point we have some work to do on the third leg,” Baker said. “We've been doing what I would describe as sort of a mid-course analysis.”
Baker says that analysis would help government and Columbia Gas officials learn what is working in the massive and complex restoration effort, what has been unanticipated, and what can be done to improve operations.
While some 900 gas fitters, electricians and plumbers are in the field, readying businesses and homes for restoration through replacement of appliances and safety inspections, Rivera says he’s had a concern in this area for a long time.
“The plumber number has always been an issue for me since the very beginning of this process,” said Rivera. “But you know, I'm told that we are breaking through that number and we're going to get hundreds more plumbers here in the next couple days. And I think that will help, but at the end of the day, I still think you start getting too far behind, there is no way you can catch up.”
Baker and Rivera both say they expect to have more information on Friday after getting an update from Columbia Gas Thursday evening.
Rivera says he still has big expectations from Columbia Gas.
“I want no one to forget that we're still living in a disaster zone,” Rivera said. “You know, some people are home with electricity, but thousands and thousands of people are without heat and hot water. And so we want them [Columbia Gas] to try absolutely everything to get as many people with heat in hot water in their homes as soon as possible. And whatever it takes to do that, that's what I want to see. And to do it safely.”
WGBH News has asked Columbia Gas for comment but has not received a response.
