Too Soon To Know If Gas Disaster Settlement Is Adequate: Rep

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — In a weekend interview with WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) stopped short of being skeptical of the settlement announced last week in four class action lawsuits filed against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in the wake of last year's gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. Keller had asked Trahan if she shared the same skepticism as Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, who wondered "after the attorneys take their cut, how much are residents and businesses really left with?"

"It’s too early to make a statement around if that settlement is adequate," Trahan told Keller. "We’re going to be monitoring how those claims are awarded."

Last week, Columbia and its parent company, NiSource Inc., announced a $143 million agreement to settle four class action lawsuits against the company. On Wednesday, company executives said they do not expect to incur significant additional costs as a result of the explosions, which damaged or destroyed more than 130 buildings and killed an 1-year-old Lawrence man.

"The reality is we’ve been working on the ground with so many of the businesses that have outstanding claims, and we’re going to continue that work. We’re going to continue," Trahan said. "The pressure is still on making sure every family and business is made whole."

For more on this story, see CBS Boston.