Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas |
| Defunct | October 2020 |
| Fate | Acquired by Eversource |
| Successor | Eversource |
| Headquarters | Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Springfield, Brockton, Lawrence, Massachusetts |
| Products | Retail natural gas services |
| Owner | NiSource (until acquisition) |
| Parent | NiSource |
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, operating under the corporate name Bay State Gas Company, provided retail natural gas services to more than 300,000 customers situated in the vicinity of Springfield, Brockton, and Lawrence. This entity functioned as a subsidiary of NiSource. In 2008, its business interests in New Hampshire and Maine were divested to Unitil Corporation.
After the Merrimack Valley gas explosions occurred in September 2018, Columbia Gas underwent intense public and regulatory examination. By February 2020, energy provider Eversource reached an agreement to purchase Columbia Gas's natural gas infrastructure in Massachusetts for $1.1 billion. Additionally, the company incurred a $53 million penalty due to breaches of the Pipeline Safety Act. The transaction was finalized in October 2020, marking the conclusion of Columbia Gas's presence in the Massachusetts market.
2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions
On September 13, 2018, multiple fires and explosions erupted in three towns served by Columbia—Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, Massachusetts—triggered by an underground gas pipeline experiencing excessive pressure.[1] Authorities promptly evacuated affected residents while the American Red Cross provided emergency shelter for those displaced. On the following day, Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and designated Eversource to assume control over gas distribution management within the impacted region.
Columbia Gas faced criticism from both the governor and local officials due to a nearly 24-hour delay in responding to the crisis.
See also
References
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External links
- Columbia Gas of Massachusetts homepage – archived prior to acquisition by Eversource.