“I tended to downplay’’ the explosion risk of gas leaks at first, said Phillips. “But now that I have seen with my own eyes at least one case … I do think that is actually part of the overall problem now.’’
Natural gas is one of the fastest growing forms of energy in the United States, embraced as an abundant resource and a better alternative to coal-fired power plants, which emit far more greenhouse gases. But aging pipelines in Massachusetts that deliver natural gas to more than 1.2 million homes have more than 21,000 leaks, according to gas company records.
While gas companies and regulators say most leaks pose no immediate danger and do not need to be repaired, some legislators and former gas company workers disagree. Minor, Grade 3 leaks not only harm the environment, they say, but if not properly monitored, they can become Grade 1 leaks that are an immediate hazard. The West Newton leak is one example.
Representative Lori Ehrlich, a Democrat from Marblehead, has proposed legislation calling for all the leaks to be repaired within three years, regardless of how they are labeled.
“It’s a waste of money, a waste of a natural resource, and there’s public safety hazards as well,’’ said Ehrlich, who started looking into the issue after former gas workers and environmental activists contacted her two years ago with their concerns.
The legislation, which has nearly 40 cosponsors, was heard by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications and Energy in June, but has not received a vote.
Phillips detects gas leaks using a new device called a cavity ring-down spectrometer, which he puts in the trunk of his car so he can take measurements as he drives.
He has been surprised at how leaky the Boston area is, and he estimates that he has only explored about 1 percent of its streets.
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