Eversource working to ensure reliability of natural gas system
As part of its year-round efforts to maintain the natural gas system, Eversource is conducting routine inspections of its infrastructure and readying equipment ahead of the winter heating season.
“Our top priority is operating a safe, reliable natural gas system in compliance with state and federal regulations for all of the communities we serve, and we take advantage of every opportunity to prepare and reinforce our infrastructure before the start of winter, which is when we typically see peak gas demand from our customers,” Eversource Vice President of Gas Engineering Seth Krueger said in a statement. “From surveying our gas lines to ensuring our system meets all federal and local safety standards and communicating regularly with our municipal partners, our team completes a comprehensive checklist of proactive work every year, and these forward-looking measures are vital to providing the safe, seamless natural gas service that our customers rely on to stay warm during New England’s coldest days.”
Eversource completes required natural gas compliance work before winter begins each year and prioritizes completing all planned gas main projects and repairs before mid-November. The energy company conducts annual surveys of its gas lines and continuously monitors the system to identify any weather-related stress or ground movement so it can be addressed before posing further issues. Additionally, Eversource coordinates these activities with municipalities to ensure local officials are informed.
Eversource also encourages customers to take steps to prepare their homes for the winter months and explore energy-saving measures, such as:
- Applying weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to stop air leaks and prevent energy loss. Residents can also sign up for a no-cost home energy assessment to find out if their home would benefit from air sealing. Visit eversource.com/home-energy-assessment or call 866-527-SAVE for details.
- Setting the temperature on hot water tanks to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or turning on the “warm” setting.
- Changing or cleaning dirty air filters, which can lead to dust, dirt and grime buildup on the heating components, causing a furnace to use more energy and increasing the risk of malfunction. A clean filter can lower energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
- Keeping the fireplace damper closed when not in use to retain warmth.
- Wearing an additional layer of clothing and turning down the thermostat.
- Holding off on doing chores during extremely cold weather. Doing laundry and washing dishes can use natural gas both to heat the water and the dryer. If possible, wait until extremely cold weather passes to complete these activities. If not, use the cold setting if realistic/reasonable.
- Lowering the thermostat to at least 68 degrees. Each degree makes a difference toward saving money and energy.
- Lowering the maximum temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees. Heating a hot water tank can account for as much as 25% of the energy consumed in a home.
- Opening curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home and closing them at dark to reduce chill from the windows.
Wendell resident bringing play to Hadley, Brattleboro
Those who missed the theatrical debut of “Swamped,” the new play written and directed by Wendell resident Court Dorsey, at the Wendell Meetinghouse in October can see it be performed in December in Hadley and in January in Brattleboro, Vermont.
“Swamped” centers around the relationship between The Captain, a widowed and grouchy Vietnam War veteran, and Clove, his transgender personal care assistant. The Captain is played by Joe Laur, and Clove is played by Izzy Miller. Steve Eldredge plays The Captain’s dead war buddy’s son and Heather Willey has been cast as that man’s partner.
Brian Bender handles sound design, Tim Holcomb is responsible for the set and Miller handled costumes. Francesca Bourgault will provide lighting during the Brattleboro shows.
“This play pushes us to grapple with many of the coexisting and sometimes contradictory cultural issues of our time,” Brattleboro Co-Producer Betsy Williams said in a statement. “Gender fluidity, control of our bodies, aging, competing relationship and personal needs, family loyalty versus political conscience.”
“Swamped” runs Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at East Street Studio, 47 East St. in Hadley, and Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. at New England Youth Theatre, 100 Flat St. in Brattleboro. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information or to buy tickets, visit courtdorsey.com/events.
Blais, Comerford named to state-owned land commission
BOSTON — Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, and Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, recently accepted appointments to Gov. Maura Healey’s Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes for State-Owned Land.
The commission, created through an executive order signed on Aug. 13, will advise Healey and her administration on potential reforms to the PILOT program to ensure geographic fairness in the allocation of PILOT funding.
“Rural communities have been disproportionately disadvantaged by [the PILOT program’s] flawed formula,” Blais, who was appointed to serve on the commission on behalf of the House, said in a statement. “While we have made tremendous progress in adequately funding the program, the establishment of this commission by the Healey-Driscoll administration is welcome to ensure that the communities who are stewarding our natural and working lands are appropriately compensated for their service to the commonwealth. I am grateful to Speaker Ronald Mariano for providing me with this opportunity to serve.”
In a statement, Comerford, who was appointed to serve on the commission on behalf of the Senate, added that the PILOT formula has “shortchanged rural communities in western and central Massachusetts, despite the enormous contributions these communities make in stewarding the commonwealth’s forests, farms and watersheds.”
“This commission is a welcome and necessary step toward a fair, climate-forward formula — one that values the ecosystem services our lands provide and recognizes the fiscal realities facing all 351 of our cities and towns,” she said. “I am deeply grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for this appointment and look forward to the work ahead.”
To learn more about the Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes for State-Owned Land and its scope, visit mass.gov/news/governor-healey-creates-commission-on-state-owned-land-pilot-program-to-ensure-geographic-fairness.