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Date: 10/20/2021
SPRINGFIELD – Eversource Energy presented a reliability project for the local pipeline during the Sustainability and Environment Subcommittee Meeting on Oct 14.
Eversource Energy Community Relations and Economic Development Specialist Joseph Mitchell showcased the presentation, which proposed that a new pipeline source be inserted to mitigate the area’s reliance upon a single source of supply. The current supply, which runs through Memorial Bridge from the Agawam Delivery Station, has been in operation for 70 years, according to Mitchell.
The idea for a second pipeline spurred from the June 2011 tornado that impacted the Springfield area. Due to the tornado’s proximity to the pipeline, the storm almost caused a breakage in the system, which would have led to 40,000 customers losing all services. Mitchell shared that the added line would create a loop between the sources, creating a way to back feed gas in case the older pipeline needs repairs. “This is a reliability project, not an expansion project. We want to mitigate the risk in the greater Springfield area,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell explained how the added pipeline would also lessen the reliance on the current source, allowing for an even distribution of gas between the two pipelines. For the project to commence, Eversource would first construct a new point-of-delivery station in Longmeadow, followed by the installation of 16-inch pipeline from the delivery station to the existing Bliss Street Regulator Station in Springfield. Eversource will also continue to partner with Tennessee Gas to provide the pipelines for the project, according to Mitchell.
In their proposition of a new pipeline, Mitchell presented four different pipeline route variations. Eversource Engineer Richard Salvarezza explained that each proposed change comes with their own price tag, with the shortest and preferred route costing $22,700,000 while the longest route would cost $32,700,000. “We want the point of delivery to be as unintrusive as possible,” said Mitchell.
The community relations specialist revealed that the project wouldn’t be without risk. If the construction of the new pipeline suffered technical malfunctions or unforeseen circumstances, it would cause an interruption of supply along the entire pipeline. He revealed that a shutdown would lead to the loss of services for roughly 58,000 customers, jumpstarting a recovery process that would take up to six weeks for delivery to fully recover.
Members of the Sustainability and Environment Subcommittee followed the presentation with a series of questions. Committee member and At-Large Springfield City Councilor Jesse Lederman inquired about the need for another source. Salvarezza explained that another pipeline would limit the risk of a worst-case scenario. “There is some exposure there because it’s a single source,” said Salvarezza, who concluded that both the existing pipeline and the proposed pipeline would both last indefinitely as long as proper maintenance is performed.
Ward 2 Springfield Councilor Michael Fenton challenged the proposing project based on Eversouce’s longstanding payments owed to the city. As discussed in the Oct. 7 Springfield City Council meeting, the company owes $44,000,000 from overdue payments dating back from 2013. “Please drop your case and pay your bills,” said Fenton in regard to Eversource’s lawsuits about the payment process.
City Council President Marcus Williams expressed concern that the project could cause disruption to Springfield’s everyday operation. Department of Public Works Director Christopher Cignoli theorized that the impact could range from being relatively minor to serving as a sizable disruption on day-to-day livelihood.
Ahead of further subcommittee meetings with a variety of local organizations, Eversource Energy will be hosting a virtual opening house for the public on Nov. 9 and 10. Links to the open houses have not been made available as of press time.