MA 2015 Technical Assistance Grant

Overview

Main Objective

This grant will fund the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) to measure leakage in natural gas distribution pipelines in the Greater Boston region in order to 1) accurately identify leakage locations and concentrations and 2) enhance the capacity for municipalities to collaborate with gas utilities on leak repair. The goal is to accelerate the repair of natural gas leaks by providing data to more comprehensively scope the problem and to support mitigation and engagement strategies.

Goals:

• Improve the understanding of the extent of natural gas leaks in eastern-Massachusetts so that response efforts can more appropriately target risk -Facilitate the efficient repair of aging, leaking pipeline infrastructure by providing data to support best practices for municipal collaboration with utilities to repair leaks -Generate productive dialogue between stakeholders that will endure throughout the long-term process of reducing natural gas leaks -Overall, support efforts to protect public and environmental health, reduce the risk of injury, and minimize contributions to global climate change by mitigating natural gas leaks

Public Abstract

Under the terms of this agreement, the Recipient must demonstrate completion of the work through the actions it has specified in its Application. Objectives: -Within the first 3 months of the program (e.g. 12/31/2015), MAPC and HEET will have recruited the participation of 15 to25 municipalities and designed a survey methodology best suited for the project. -Within the first 7 months of the program (e.g. 4/30/2016), Gas Safety Inc. will have performed natural gas leak surveys in each of the participating municipalities according to the methodology, covering roughly 10 to 15 miles of below-street natural gas distribution system in each municipality. This timing conservatively accommodates for potential delays due to rain and winter snow cover, which hamper the ability to detect gas. -Within the first 9 months of the program (e.g. 6/30/2016), MAPC and HEET will have analyzed and produced an internal report of the results of the study. -Within the first 11 months of the program (e.g. 9/301/2016), MAPC and HEET will have produced a website to host the study results and conducted 3 regional workshops with municipal leaders to disseminate results, discuss the implementation of best practices and other next steps, and collect input. The meetings will have at least 50 municipal attendees, the website will get at least 100 unique visits within two months of its launch, and at least 5 media outlets in the region will promote the press release. -Within 1 year of the program (e.g. 10/31/2016), MAPC and HEET will have 1) conveyed feedback to the municipal-utility coordinating commission; 2) held at least one meeting with DPU and leading communities in continuation of the existing dialogue managed by MAPC; and 3) published a white paper of the study results that can be used to support programs in other regions and states to accurately scope gas leaks and implement collaborative remediation procedures.

Relevant Files & Links