54 PSEG employees to aid Columbia Gas efforts in Massachusetts

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Public Service Electric and Gas Co. is sending 54 employees to Massachusetts for six weeks to assist Columbia Gas with restoration efforts following natural gas explosions that occurred Sept. 13.Public Service Electric and Gas Co. is sending 54 employees to Massachusetts for six weeks to assist Columbia Gas with restoration efforts following natural gas explosions that occurred Sept. 13.

Forty-eight gas service technicians and six gas supervisors will go home by home in the affected area to disconnect any gas appliances and inspect piping, PSE&G said.

“We’ll pressure-test homeowners’ pipes to make sure it’s safe to reintroduce gas, look for leaks and complete any necessary repairs,” PSE&G District Manager Chris LaRossa said in a release. “All work will be checked and cleared by certified plumbers to ensure safety.”

LaRossa said the efforts would help to re-establish service for 8,600 customers.

On Sept. 14, PSE&G sent about 50 employees to work with Columbia Gas for six days during emergency response efforts to check homes and turn off gas meters.

PSE&G said investigators believe the explosions were caused by an over-pressurized system.

According to published reports, the September explosions resulted in one death, dozens of injuries and multiple explosions and fires in the Merrimack Valley area north of Boston.