Merrimack Valley Gas Fires & Explosions Industry Marketing & Communications Strategy Moving Forward
Summary of facts to-date: 80 separate fires and/or explosions in Lawrence, Andover & N. Andover Columbia Gas over pressurized lines during work on pipelines Company s website on 9-13-18 stated: We ll be upgrading natural gas lines in neighborhoods across the state. This work will lead to long-term benefits for you including: enhanced safety features, reliability of service for years to come, less future maintenance work in your neighborhood, system support for amenities like fire pits, outdoor grills, pool heaters.
Summary of facts to-date: Gas service remains off in all 3 communities Over 8500 gas meters off-line and require replacement Electricity back-on Residents back in homes Another 10,100 gas meters impacted but back in service 48 miles of gas pipeline needs to be replaced State of emergency in place NTSB investigating
Summary of facts todate: Governor Baker activated National Guard to distribute 7000 hot plates and 24,000 space heaters to those without gas Former Navy Captain & Civil Engineer hired by Columbia Gas to oversee multi-million $$ gas restoration and pipeline repair project Expect all work to be completed by November 19, 2018
Summary of facts to-date: Yesterday Columbia Gas announced they will: Reimburse customers for reasonable costs of permanently switching to an alternative fuel source, as well as temporarily switching to appliances or systems that use another fuel.
Industry action to-date Massachusetts Energy Marketers press release MEMA-to-MEMA contact: Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency MEMA contacted Representative Tom Golden (Lowell) -- House Chairman of Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy NEFI communications to 6 NE states Consulted with American Energy Coalition (AEC), NORA s John Huber and industry communications professionals
Short & Long-term Impact on Gas Utilities Relentless media coverage Columbia Gas failed on all fronts: "Since yesterday - since yesterday - when we first got word of this incident, the least informed and the last to act has been Columbia Gas." Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera Gas utilities weaknesses on full display and PR messaging about their fuel exposed as questionable even fraudulent Consumer confidence shaken State, local & federal government officials, & public safety personnel wary and worried
Short & Long-term Impact on Gas Utilities Gas pipeline expansion legislation, state energy plans, gas equipment & gas rates all viewed with new prism New laws & regulations at state and federal levels to avoid future disasters Criminal charges against utility Overall increased fear-mistrust of natural gas statewide and beyond
State & Federal Oversight MA pipeline safety/upgrade law passed in 2014 House Speaker & Senate President calling for Beacon Hill hearings Senators Markey & Warren and Reps. calling for hearings in D.C. Boston City Council asking for National Grid to provide safety update amidst strike by 1250 gas employees
Next Steps: What we don t want to do. Pile-on with negative, frightening messaging Impact of explosions & fires & reasons behind incident are self-evident daily and ongoing media coverage Government and safety officials are our best spokespeople Have our industry viewed as opportunistic, unsensitive Alienate our existing customers Jeopardize the reauthorization of NORA
Next Steps: What we can do. Continue to promote the new & longstanding benefits of our fuel:! Ultra-low sulfur blended with renewable Bioheat! Modern, high-efficiency equipment! Safe, dependable, outstanding service! NORA equipment rebates for boilers, furnaces & tanks
Next Steps: What we can do. Assist retailers with new marketing materials:! For heating oil & propane marketers opportunity exists! Reinforce Oilheat s benefits with existing customer base
ULS Marketing in MA Multiple communication pieces for retailers including billing inserts, postcards, website & social media graphics, FAQ sheet Statewide radio campaign late June-into-July using NORA funds
DONATE TO AEC HELP FUND A MERRIMACK VALLEY DISASTER RESPONSE STRATEGY Your Contribution Will Help Tell Massachusetts Consumers the Truth About Natural Gas VISIT: www.americanenergycoalition.com/mema
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Thank you. Discussion