Gas Upgrades or Street Downgrades?
Why is Newton DPW greenwashing National Grid's pipeline replacements?
How much do “gas upgrades” cost Newton tax payers in degraded streets?
(Streets and Sidewalks: What will $1.4 million override money buy? Newton Beacon, January 19, 2023)
The Department of Public Works’ presentation in support of Newton’s proposed override, ‘Chat with DPW Commissioner Jim McGonagle,’ shows 2023/2024 upcoming rehabilitation roadway projects. Several photos show ugly pavement patches and potholes, many of them signs of gas pipeline projects in recently paved streets.
In 2020 Mothers Out Front Newton organized a public event to raise awareness of Newton’s need to fix the gas leaks before paving streets, such as Washington Street, or to retire the gas pipes and transition to electrification. The problem: National Grid profits from pipeline replacements, charges ratepayers for the lost gas from hundreds of unrepaired leaks, markets disinformation with mailings about 'clean' gas, and causes disruption and accelerated street deterioration and maintenance costs.
How much do National Grid’s gas pipeline projects (called "Gas Upgrades" on Slide 11) create ongoing pavement deterioration and ongoing costs?
How often does National Grid dig through newly paved streets because leaks were paved over?
Do the costs show up in Newton's capital or operating budget?
How much would Newton save for other needs and uses if the streets were not broken up and degraded by the opening and, in many cases, repeated digging up of recently paved and older streets?
How much would Newton have saved if every gas leak was seens as an opportunity to switch from gas to clean energy and electrification?\\
