Pipework, Gas Release Planned For Newton, Wellesley

NEWTON, MA — If you smell gas on Sunday near the Route-128 interchange, officials say, they're aware. Algonquin Gas Transmission will be releasing natural gas as part of preventative maintenance work at its Valve Site near Walnut Street in Wellesley and Quinobequin Road in Newton near the Washington Street, Route 128 interchange.

The release is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday and will last for about six or seven hours, according to the city. There will be a second release before the end of the month.

It will be smelly. And it will be loud, according to officials. But the company has to empty the pipeline in order to do maintenance on the pipe.

The company will have portable deodorizing equipment and monitors to measure the levels of natural gas and ensure it's safe, according to the city.

According to the city the Algonquin representatives will first depressurize the gas line, by reducing the amount of gas running through the pipe, and then let out the rest of the gas. Once the pipeline is empty, their maintenance work can begin.

The company emphasized to the Newton Fire officials and city officials that there will be no danger to anyone during the process.

The Algonquin Gas Transmission is a 1,100 mile pipeline system, which delivers natural gas to New England. It is connected to the Texas Eastern Pipeline and the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline. The pipes transport about 20 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year. The Algonquin Gas Transmission is owned by Enbridge.

It's not without controversy, either. In New York there's an effort to stop any expansion of the pipeline. And the Union of Concerned Scientists offers this on the impacts of Natural Gas on Climate Change.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).