Gas Pipeline Expansion into Douglas

Location: Douglas

Petition of NSTAR Gas Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for Authorization by the
Department of Public Utilities to Distribute Gas in the Town of Douglas, Massachusetts,
pursuant to the provisions of G.L. c. 164, § 30.

  1. Company: NSTAR Gas/ES 
  2. Agency: DPU 
  3. Docket Numbers: 22-107, Filed 8/19/2022, DPU approved 12/9/22
  4. Description
    1. NSTAR Gas plans to install 8,750 ft of 8 in plastic main to service prospective commercial and industrial customers 
    2. Douglas and developer pay ~$1.5 million toward cost of main, ~$3.6 million total 
    4. “actual pipelines won’t require permitting; below EFSB thresholds” 
  5. Links
    1. Petition from NSTAR for Gas distribution to Douglas 
      1. 2021: Douglas’ Select Board resolved to request NSTAR Gas to supply gas to town 
      2. approved by DPU 
  6. News 
    1. Massachusetts DPU Greenlights New Fossil Gas Expansion Despite GHG Reduction Laws (Dec 2022)
      1. DPU approved NSTAR d/b/a Eversource Energy petition to build new pipelines to Dougals and distribution service in town 
    2. August 2022: Attorney General filed notice of intervention (pro pipeline) 
  7. Opposition groups 
    1. Sierra Club argues it is inconsistent with Global Warming Solutions Act, bad for ratepayers because DPU is planning to transition gas system in Future of Gas docket in DPU 20-80
      1. Comments: Inconsistent with Mass decarbonization mandates and other state policies, increase in gas use not in state interest
        1. Installing new gas infrastructure will prolong dependence on fossil fuels 
        2. Inconsistent with company’s decarbonization plan 
      2. Imprudent use of ratepayer funds, result in stranded assets 
      3. Company has not evaluated alternatives to gas expansion in Douglas 
    2. CLF 
      1. Will not advance mandate to eliminate GHG emissions 
      2. Pipelines prone to leaks (GHG emissions, stranded assets) 
    3. Sept 2022: Mass DOER, CLF, and Sierra Club filed petitions for leave to intervene as full parties
      1. DOER granted full permission, CLF and Sierra Club as limited participants
  8. Comments received from: Rep McKenna, Sen Fattman, the Town, Mothers Out Front/Newton Gas Transition Allies, Sierra Club, CLF, Gas Leaks Allies and Climate Reality Project (Boston Metro Chapter), EDF, Acadia Center, PipeLine Awareness Network for Northeast, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, members of public