Press Releases

LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) applauded the awarding of $171,937 in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding to the City of Lawrence by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA). The funding will be used to provide critical services for Lawrence residents still recovering from the devastation of the 2018 Merrimack Valley pipeline gas explosions.

“The long road to recovery from the Merrimack Valley gas explosions was compounded nearly a year ago when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. This left many Lawrence families just beginning to get back on their feet at risk of suffering again from financial and personal struggle,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance funding is critical, because it’s clear that more investments in resources and services are necessary to prevent that regression from happening or getting worse.”

 “We would like to thank Congresswoman Trahan for her ability to advocate for communities like Lawrence. The grant will assist many of our residents that are still trying to get back on their feet after the Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions,” said Mayor of Lawrence Kendrys Vasquez.

“This funding will provide unique and accessible programming specifically designed to meet the needs of the thousands of victims affected by the 2018 explosions,” said Liam Lowney, Executive Director of MOVA. “Providing access to high-quality victim services are a critical way to navigate the ongoing trauma experienced by residents and bring a sense of control back to the community. I am grateful for the partnership developed between MOVA, Congresswoman Trahan, and the City of Lawrence to address the evolving needs of this survivor population.”

MOVA is an independent state agency governed by the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, and the administrator of federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding in Massachusetts. MOVA strives to advance victim rights by ensuring all victims and survivors of crime across the Commonwealth are supported and empowered through access to high-quality services that are trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and reflective of diverse communities. MOVA achieves this through survivor-informed work, advocacy for enhanced victim rights and services, partnerships with agencies and individuals, and a commitment to providing funding and services for underserved and marginalized communities.

Background: 

On September 13, 2018, over pressurized lines operated by Columbia Gas resulted in a series of fires and explosions that forced almost 50,000 residents of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover to evacuate their homes. 131 properties were damaged, including at least 40 homes, resulting in widespread displacement for several weeks following the incident. The total damage is estimated at $1 billion, which includes property damage, personal injury, infrastructure damage and mutual aid payments. More than 20 people were injured, including three firefighters, and the blasts resulted in the death of Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence.

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts pleaded guilty to violating the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 in February of 2020 following a settlement with its parent company, NiSource. Following Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ guilty plea, Trahan led a request from members of the Massachusetts Federal Delegation to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) asking that they use their discretionary authority to allocate any funds from a criminal settlement to support those affected by the gas explosions. The full request can be accessed HERE.

Columbia Gas was sentenced in June 2020, with a federal judge ordering them to pay a $56 million fine and placing them on three years of probation. This sum is the largest criminal fine ever imposed under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act.

Shortly after taking office in 2019, Trahan introduced the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) to enact tough new rules on gas pipeline operators and prevent another tragedy like the Merrimack Valley gas explosions. This landmark legislation became law on December 28th, 2020.

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