Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act in Massachusetts
What is the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act? On September 13, 2018, Leonel Rondon was tragically killed when he was crushed to death in a home explosion caused by over-pressurization of the natural gas pipeline system in Lawrence, MA. This event rocked three densely populated communities in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed or significantly impacted, and thousands of families were displaced from their homes.
The Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act (S. 1097), was introduced on April 9, 2019 and passed on December 22, 2020 by a final vote of the U.S. Senate. The federal legislation imposes requirements which address several of the deficiencies brought to light by the disaster and was designed to improve the safety of the natural gas pipelines that service the homes, business and public buildings nationwide. Among other things, the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act directs the Department of Transportation to require:
- Each distribution integrity plan developed by an operator of gas distribution pipeline to include the risks from the presence of cast iron pipes and mains and risks that may result from the operation of a pipeline above the maximum allowable operating pressure;
- Operators to establish protocols for communicating with fire, police and other relevant public officials after a disaster that includes fires, explosions or one or more fatalities;
- Procedural manuals for operations, maintenance and emergencies to include certain written procedures;
- Operators to develop and implement a pipeline safety management systems framework;
- And additional safety requirements established by this natural gas pipeline safety bill in the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act.
Boston 25
Eagle Tribune
Senator Markey
Milford Daily News
Details on Sheff Law & Colombia Gas Settlement
Leonel Rondon, an 18-year-old Lawrence teenager who had just received his driver’s license, lost his life as a result of the September 13, 2018 Columbia Gas explosions. Leonel was the sole fatality in the disaster.
Sheff Law represented his family in their claims against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, where they received a settlement. This gas explosion settlement was a result of voluntary mediation between the parties, the terms of which are confidential by agreement. Not only did the Massachusetts attorneys at Sheff Law work tirelessly for the Rondon family, but our law firm near Merrimack Valley donates an annual gift in Leonel’s memory to encourage an ongoing interest in public safety and community service. In 2020, Sheff Law provided a gift to the Lawrence Fire Department which was utilized to purchase life saving rescue equipment.
NBC Boston
Family Donates 5K to Lawrence Firefighters
CBS Boston
2 Years After Merrimack Valley Gas Explosion Donation
Boston Globe
$5,000 Award Given to Lawrence Fire Department
Impact of the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act
US Senator Edward Markey and Representative Lori Trahan originally introduced the bill in Leonel’s name in April of 2019 in response to this horrible tragedy in an effort to compel officials and operators to strengthen pipeline safety procedures. Thanks to the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, increased safety standards have been implemented among natural gas companies in Massachusetts and ultimately closed regulatory loopholes.
To learn more about the Leonel Rondon Pipeline Safety Act, or if you or your family has been impacted by a fire or explosion case, please don’t hesitate to call or contact Sheff Law today. Our Massachusetts personal injury law firm is proud to see a new national pipeline safety bill honor the legacy of a such wonderful young man. The Act keeps the memory of Leonel Rondon alive and will continue to do so for decades to come.
