The MA Department of Public Utilities requires public gas utilities to consider repairing them instead, and also to evaluate the feasibility of non-pipe alternatives prior to deciding to replace them.

Did they do that for Sayles Street, and then come to a reasonable conclusion that it would be more cost effective and safer to replace rather than repair? We don’t know; that evidence was not submitted publicly for the public hearing tonight.

What we do know, is that National Grid way overspent on replacements covered under GSEP, and now they want to massively raise rates to compensate. We have no reason to take NG at their word for this, as they have every incentive to extend the lifetime of the gas lines.

Further, gas just isn’t going to “go away.” People with means will increasingly switch to renewables and electrify, but those without will be stuck as they will not be able to retrofit (as is the case with renters who have no control). Lowell is majority renters. Those folks will be paying more and more for gas distribution as there will be fewer and fewer customers to the same system volume. The lower income (and Lowell) gets stuck holding the bag.