Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE--The West Broadway Neighborhood Association is to receive an award tomorrow for its effort in battling National Grid's plan to relocate gas meters from basements to the exterior of properties, it was announced today by the Providence Preservation Society.

The society said that placing meters on the front or sides of houses would "compromise decades of painstaking historic renovation and millions of dollars worth of investment n the city's historic heritage."

Kari Lang, executive director of the neighborhood association, said, "Once we realized that all Rhode Island homes and property owners would be negatively impacted by this little-known aspect of National Grid's larger gas main replacement program, the issue grew beyond our neighborhood's concerns to encompass private property rights and the need for consumer protections for all Rhode Islanders."

The National Grid meter policy has prompted legislation to void it. Councilman John J. Lombardi submitted an ordinance that was approved unanimously by the City Council, the Preservation Society said. The society said that similar, state-level legislation submitted by Sen. Paul V. Jabour and Rep. Steven M. Costantino is pending.

"The West Broadway Neighborhood Association's Gas Meter Advocacy Effort not only shows the organization's commitment to historic preservation on the West Side but also to the rights of urban property owners everywhere," said George Born, executive director of the Preservation Society.

Jessica Jennings, one of the leaders in the West Broadway Neighborhood Association's fight against the meters, said, "What's really terrible, especially in our ailing economy, is that ratepayers are being forced to fund these costly and unnecessary meter relocations. The most prudent, cost-effective and ethical action for National Grid to take is to keep gas meters where they are."

 Tags  Providence RI

Comments

oreo said:

When you home blows up because of a gas meter regulator blowing gas inside your home seek out the Providence Preservation Society. I'm sure they will rebuild your home.

Link | February 6, 2009 12:27 PM
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aMAcustomer said:

Given the potential for snow & ice buildup in the Northeast on outside regulators, I feel a lot
safer with my meter & regulator inside the house where they have safely been for 50 years.

See the following article: http://www.xcelenergy.com/Company/Newsroom/Pages/NewsRelease2009-01-06-Keepgasmetersclearoficeandsnow,XcelEnergyurges.aspx

Link | July 6, 2009 11:22 AM
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