Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions

Congresswoman Lori Trahan Applauds Inclusion of Her Appropriations Request to Help Deliver Colombia Gas Settlement Funds to Affected Communities

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LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) applauded the inclusion of language she requested in the House’s appropriations package to press the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use its authority to direct discretionary funds from a pipeline violation settlement to affected communities. Trahan requested the inclusion of this language to ensure that funds from the Columbia Gas…

Congresswoman Trahan Statement on Columbia Gas Sentencing

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LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) released a statement following the sentencing of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts for violating the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act leading to the Merrimack Valley gas explosions: “Today’s sentencing won’t bring back Leonel Rondon, and it won’t heal the physical and emotional scars of the 22 people who were…

Trahan, Markey, Moulton, Warren, Other Delegation Members Call For Money From Columbia Gas Fine to Stay in Merrimack Valley

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WASHINGTON, DC – TODAY, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03); Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); and Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06), Joseph Kennedy, III (MA-04), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Richard Neal (MA-01), and James McGovern (MA-02) urged US Attorney General William Barr to use his authority to direct any criminal penalties…

Trahan Statement on Federal Criminal Charges Against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts for Merrimack Valley Pipeline Disaster

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) released this statement after Columbia Gas of Massachusetts pleaded guilty to violating the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act. “Today’s guilty plea by Columbia Gas confirms what we knew all along - that the tragic gas explosions from 2018 were both avoidable and the result of a careless abandonment of safety standards and…

Congresswoman Lori Trahan Statement on Lawrence Gas Leak

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) released this statement following this morning’s gas leak in Lawrence, MA.  “I was outraged by news of mandatory evacuations this morning as a result of a level one gas leak in Lawrence in the areas of Andover Street to Merrimack Street and Sanborn Street to Parker Street. I commend the fire and police departments who…

Congresswoman Trahan Statement on NTSB Merrimack Valley Disaster Investigation, Hearing, and Final Report

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) released the following statement on the final report of the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB), the federal agency investigating the disaster. In April, Congresswoman Trahan, along with Congressman Seth Moulton and Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren introduced the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, legislation…

Congresswoman Lori Trahan Marks One Year Anniversary of Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) marked the one year anniversary of the Merrimack Valley Gas explosions, which impacted the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. The explosions damaged or destroyed over 130 homes and businesses, sent at least 20 people to the hospital, and claimed the life of 18-year-old Leonel Rondon.  “Exactly one year…

Representative Trahan, Senator Markey, Merrimack Valley Leaders, and Rondon Family Unveil New Federal Pipeline Safety Legislation Named After Leonel Rondon

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Lawrence, MA – Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) joined Merrimack Valley elected officials, state legislators, first responders, and community organizations today in Lawrence, Massachusetts to honor the late Leonel Rondon and the Rondon family by announcing new federal pipeline safety legislation named in his honor. The new legislation responds to…

Congresswoman Lori Trahan Offers Testimony on Pipeline Safety Before House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

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Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for their scheduled hearing, Pipeline Safety: Reviewing the Status of Mandates and Examining Additional Safety Needs.  In September of last year, a series of devastating gas explosions struck the…

Massachusetts Lawmakers Request Additional Information from Columbia Gas Amid New Reports of Delays and Shortfalls in Gas Explosion Claims Process

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Text of the Letter (PDF)   Washington, DC - United States Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06) along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Columbia Gas and its parent company NiSource requesting additional information about the claims process established for the communities of the Merrimack Valley…