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Broad coalition urges legislature to bar large gas‑system expansions near environmental‑justice communities
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Summary
Advocates, municipalities and public‑health professionals urged the Joint Committee to report S2290/H3547 favorably to prevent large gas‑distribution expansions within five miles of EJ communities, citing health risks, rising costs from utility capital spending and a just transition for affected workers.
A broad coalition of environmental, health and community groups urged the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy to advance companion bills S2290 and H3547 to limit large scale gas distribution expansions that would affect environmental justice communities.
Speakers including Naya Tinerowicz of the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, Tenille Rainey of Arise for Social Justice, and Dr. Roger Luckman, a public‑health professor and witness for Elders Climate Action Massachusetts, argued that new gas infrastructure perpetuates pollution, raises long‑term costs for ratepayers and disproportionately burdens low‑income and communities of color.
Naya Tinerowicz said a proposed Longmeadow–Springfield pipeline would pass within about 500 feet of Sumner Avenue Elementary School and estimated costs had grown from $35 million to $85 million, with those costs borne by ratepayers and accompanied by a 9.67% return on investment in testimony.
Multiple witnesses, including representatives of Sierra Club and Mass Power Forward, identified utility capital expenditures and the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP) as major drivers of high bills, and urged investment in Mass Save efficiency programs and clean‑energy alternatives instead of expanding the gas network.
Labor and workforce voices, including Joe Endicott of NEGWA and Mark Sandeen of the Building Trades, asked for provisions ensuring a just transition and protections for workers as the system winds down; Endicott opposed H3517, arguing frequent in‑home meter replacements provide crucial safety checks.
The committee heard requests for statutory clarification that the bill targets large transmission and distribution expansions meeting the EFSB/DPU thresholds (projects over 1 mile and >100 psi) and not routine mains, service lines or interstate pipelines under FERC authority.
No committee vote was recorded; supporters asked the committee to report the bills out favorably to protect climate goals, public health and ratepayer affordability.
