Slide 1: Western Massachusetts Natural Gas Reliability Project
Western Massachusetts Natural Gas Reliability Project Open House – UMass Center @ Tower Square 08/07/2025 6:30 PM
Slide 2: Presentation Topics
Presentation Topics 1. Need and Existing System 2. Impact of Service Interruption 3. Project Scope and Alternatives 4. Analysis of Routes 5. Point of Delivery (POD) a) Description b) Safety Features 6. Permitting 1
Slide 3: Project Need and Community Benefits
Project Need and Community Benefits This Project is designed to: • Strengthen our distribution system by providing an alternate path of supply • Reduce the risk of service interruption due to an unexpected disruption to the single source of supply Risk: • Interruption of supply along this pathway wo
Slide 4: Project Need and Existing System
Project Need and Existing System Why is Eversource proposing this project? • This Project is needed to provide necessary system reliability to approximately 53,000 customers in the Greater Springfield Area • Portions of this system are 70 years old 3
Slide 5: Proposed Project
Proposed Project Scope Includes: • Construction of a new Point-of-Delivery (POD) Station in Longmeadow • Installation of a new, 5.3-mile, 200 psig, 16- inch pipeline From: The new POD in Longmeadow To: The existing Bliss Street Regulator Station in Springfield • Regulator station upgrades at Bliss S
Slide 6: Proposed Solution
Proposed Solution Current State: Customers Agawam Receive Existing Pipeline Carries 100% of Demand POD 0% of needed gas supply In the event of a damage, 0% of gas is delivered to 53,000 customers (shaded red area of map) Proposed During Normal Operation: Agawam One Pipeline Carries 50% of Demand Cus
Slide 7: Project Alternatives Considered
Project Alternatives Considered Non-Pipeline Alternatives • Energy Efficiency • Electrification • Demand • Geothermal Response Pipeline Alternatives • No Build • Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Alternative Locations • Alternative New POD Locations • Expansion of East Longm
Slide 8: Routing Analysis
Routing Analysis Figure 4-1 – Study Area Natural Environmental Factors Wetlands, Rivers, Streams Endangered Species Tree Clearing Human Environmental Factors Land Use (residential, commercial/industrial, recreational) Sensitive Receptors Historic Resources Traffic/Public Transportation
Slide 9: Potential Routes
Potential Routes Preferred and Noticed Alternatives/Variations Preferred Route • (Green) • I-91 (MassDOT) • Approximately 5.3 miles • Approximately 1,000 abutters Noticed Variation 1 to Preferred Route • (Blue) • Approximately 5.4 miles • Approximately 900 abutters Noticed Variation 2 to Preferred R
Slide 10: Proposed Longmeadow Point of Delivery
Proposed Longmeadow Point of Delivery • A POD is a site where natural gas is transferred from Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) to Eversource • Proposed POD buildings are being designed to match existing structures in the area and will be constructed with noise-reducing technology • These buildings will
Slide 11: Proposed Longmeadow POD Buildings
Proposed Longmeadow POD Buildings Proposed Longmeadow POD Visual Study (View from Hazardville Rd) 10
Slide 12: Enhancements Focused on Safety
Enhancements Focused on Safety Eversource Control Center • 24/7 Remote Monitoring and Onsite Inspections • Security alarms, leak detection, remote control & emergency shutdown • Automatic Alarming to Gas Control Room • Damage Prevention • Regular patrols by trained technicians and supervisors • DigS
Slide 13: Project Approvals
Project Approvals* Local • Street Opening Permits • Building Permits (for POD) State • Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Certificate, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs • DPU Zoning Exemption for POD • Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and local bylaws • MassDOT Per
Slide 14: In Summary
In Summary The proposed Project ensures reliability for the benefit of our customers • Eversource must provide reliable service to our customers who rely on natural gas for heating, hot water and other purposes. Many of those customers are in EJ communities in the Springfield area. • This Project ad
Slide 15: Project Contact Information
Project Contact Information For More Information: 1-833-836-0302 ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com www.eversource.com/wma-gas-reliability You can also keep up-to-date on happenings in your community by providing your contact information via phone, email or by scanning the QR code with your smart device.