Columbia Gas settles explosions class-action lawsuits for $143M
Westborough utility company Columbia Gas and its parent company NiSource of Indiana announced Monday it settled all class-action lawsuits related to last September’s natural gas disaster in the Merrimack Valley for $143 million.
The settlement is part of about $1 billion in funds the company says it has dedicated to address the needs of customers, residents and communities affected last year when excessive pressure in gas lines owned by Columbia Gas caused dozens of fires and explosions in homes in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover.
One person was killed and thousands were forced to evacuate their homes and wait weeks for gas services to be restored.
The company said it entered into an agreement in principle with the class of plaintiffs to resolve all class-action litigation. That agreement will now be subject to court approval.
Columbia Gas is still processing claims through a process established in the aftermath of the incident and will continue to do so until the court gives its preliminary approval to the settlement. A claims administrator will take over the process once that happens, the company said.
The company said the $1 billion in funds spent to address the incident includes restoration work and installing new appliances, temporary housing needs and three related settlements covering injuries, municipal work and a settlement with the family of the 18-year-old man killed during the disaster.
NiSource said it has dedicated funds to a capital pipeline replacement project, charitable donations and other expenses. The total cost of the company’s recovery efforts will be updated when the company releases its second quarter earnings report on Wednesday.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments