Eversource Gas of Massachusetts Methane Challenge Partner Profile
Methane Challenge Partner (2016 - 2020)
Eversource Gas of Massachusetts was owned by NiSource and was called Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Inc. until 2020 when Eversource acquired the company. The Methane Challenge commitments for this company ended when the company was acquired. Eversource intends to make new Methane Challenge commitments when its current commitments end in 2022 and plans to add Eversource Gas of Massachusetts to its commitments at that time.
Eversource Gas of Massachusetts has committed to apply best management practices (BMPs) across its operations to mitigate methane emissions from the emission sources listed below.
Learn more about Eversource Gas of Massachusetts's progress towards meeting its commitments to implement methane-reducing technologies and practices related to these emission sources:
Methane Challenge Data: Data submitted by Eversource Gas of Massachusetts can be found in the Methane Challenge BMP Dataset at the bottom of this page.
Distribution
Mains - Cast Iron and Unprotected Steel
| Year | Replacement Rate (%) | Target Rate and Year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.35 | -1 |
| 2017 | 6.28 | -1 |
| 2018 | 7.71 | -1 |
| 2019 | 2.51 | 5 |
| Commitment Details | Company Selection |
|---|---|
| Segment: | Distribution |
| Target Year: | 2019 |
| Target Replacement Rate: | 5% |
| Final Replacement Rate: | 2.51% |
Graph shows: The blue bars show Eversource Gas of Massachusetts's annual cast iron and unprotected steel mains replacement rate. The green star indicates its 2019 target annual replacement rate (5%). Eversource Gas of Massachusetts has implemented this commitment by replacing cast iron and unprotected steel mains with plastic and protected steel and retiring cast iron and unprotected steel mains without replacement.
Distribution
Excavation Damages
| Year | Reporting Rate (%) | Target Rate and Year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 77.78 | -1 |
| 2017 | 100 | -1 |
| 2018 | 100 | -1 |
| 2019 | 100 | 100 |
| Commitment Details | Company Selection |
|---|---|
| Segment: | Distribution |
| Target Year: | 2019 |
| Target Reporting Rate: | 100% |
| Final Reporting Rate: | 100% |
Graph shows: The blue bars show Eversource Gas of Massachusetts's annual progress towards reporting on all Excavation Damages data elements. The green star indicates its 2019 target annual rate (100%).
Methane Reductions
| Year | Methane Reductions (MTCO2eq) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4169.76 |
| 2017 | 4804.24 |
| 2018 | 6765.92 |
| 2019 | 2066.96 |
During its time in the Methane Challenge program, Eversource Gas of Massachusetts achieved the following methane emissions reductions, which are also expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents and the value of the amount of natural gas saved:
- Methane emissions reductions: 636 metric tons
- Reductions in carbon dioxide equivalents: 17,807 metric tons
- Natural gas savings: $132,494*
*Natural gas savings assumes a natural gas price of $4.00 per thousand cubic feet, based on the average of daily Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Prices in 2021, rounded to the nearest dollar
Methane Challenge Program – BMP Dataset
The Methane Challenge dataset for the BMP Commitment Option can be downloaded below.
Please refer to the Methane Challenge BMP Data Dictionary for assistance in using the BMP data download spreadsheet.
Methane Challenge Accomplishments Calculation Methods
This document describes how EPA analyzes Partner-submitted data to calculate Methane Challenge program ‘accomplishments’; specifically, the partner commitment progress metrics shown on each Partner Profile webpage as well as Methane Challenge program-level methane reductions.
Methane Challenge Accomplishments Calculation Methods (pdf)
This document does not describe how Methane Challenge Partners calculate the data they report to EPA. Those calculation methods are detailed in the Methane Challenge Technical Documents.
Pursuant to 5 CFR § 2635.702(c)(2), names are displayed here as the result of recognition for achievement given under an agency program of recognition for accomplishment in support of the agency’s mission. Any reference to a specific company or commercial product or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, company, or otherwise does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation of EPA.
About the Methane Challenge Program
The Methane Challenge Program provides a new mechanism through which U.S. oil and gas companies can make more specific and transparent commitments to reducing methane emissions. Partner companies choose between two commitment options to cost-effectively reduce methane emissions. For background information on the Methane Challenge program, please check out the Methane Challenge Program Fact Sheet (pdf) .
Best Management Practice (BMP) Commitment
The BMP Commitment is intended to spur near-term, widespread implementation of methane mitigation activities across the oil and natural gas value chain to address methane emissions from key emitting sources. By committing to address an emission source, the partner is committing to implement a BMP on all such sources in their operations. Progress towards a commitment is generally indicated by the percent of sources to which the partner has implemented a BMP as part of the Methane Challenge. Commitments for a few sources are instead based on achieving a target rate (of equipment replacement or methane emission reductions).
Learn more about the BMP Commitment in the
Methane Challenge Program Best Management Practice Commitment Framework (pdf)
.
ONE Future Emissions Intensity Commitment
The ONE Future Commitment is intended to drive action to achieve segment-specific intensity targets, established through the ONE Future Partnership, which will represent emissions per volume produced or volume of throughput and add up to a 1% or less “leakage rate” along the natural gas value chain by 2025.
Learn more about the ONE Future Emissions Intensity Commitment in the
Methane Challenge Program ONE Future Emissions Intensity Commitment Framework (pdf)
Learn more about the ONE Future Partnership