Massachusetts has one of the oldest natural gas systems in the country, with 25% of the pipes under the ground considered ‘leakprone’(1). The map below shows the next 5 years of gas pipe replacement sites across Massachusetts.
Replacing all these pipes will cost gas customers approximately $17 billion according to Applied Economics Clinic. At the current rate, this cost will take over 100 years to pay off. Given our state’s mandate to reduce emissions 80% by 2050, is sinking this much money into new fossil-fuel infrastructure wise?
In the map below:
- You can click on any map point to see the utility-reported information.
- This is just 5 years of data out of a 20 year plan.
- The work is on public streets, not inside buildings.
- You can view a large map here, or just click the View Larger Map button in the top right hand corner on the map below.
- If you are experiencing difficulties viewing the map, email us.
At HEET we propose instead that these streets transition off of gas to GeoMicroDistricts. Our GeoMicroDistrict Feasibility Study showed that GeoMicroDistricts
- Are safer (no explosive gas!)
- Provide renewable energy
- Likely to be less expensive than gas
- Are healthier (since they reduce or eliminate combustion gasses in the home)
- Offer both heating AND cooling
Please sign up if you are willing to consider a GeoMicroDistrict on your street.
We share our geocoded leaks data under a Creative Commons license. Please contact us directly if you would like a copy.
You can learn more about HEET’s GSEP mapping process here.