Authors: Joshua R. Castigliego, Tanya Stasio, and Liz Stanton, PhD
December 2020
In response to a question posed by Gas Leak Allies, Researcher Joshua Castigliego, Research Assistant Tanya Stasio, and Clinic Director and Senior Economist Liz Stanton, PhD prepared a policy brief that calculates the costs (including financial returns to investors) of repairing Massachusetts' leaky gas system. Our assessment finds that it would take over 90 years to fully pay off the $15.5-$16.6 billion required to replace Massachusetts' leak-prone gas infrastructure. However, new gas pipes installed today will become obsolete in 30 years as Massachusetts makes the changes needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To stay on track to meet the Commonwealth's 2050 climate goals, the gas industry needs a managed transition geared towards the most efficient and equitable outcomes for customers.