Passing legislation that adapts to the changing needs of a community should be a no-brainer, especially if it has to do with public safety and environmental protection, and will save us money. Instead, as Erin Wade reported in The Somerville Times, the proposed bill to address the gas leaks issue has been sitting in the Massachusetts legislature for nine months. I wonder how much more gas has gone to waste since January.

Meanwhile, the fossil fuel companies keep telling us that there is a “gas shortage” and that we need to build more pipelines and horrendous compressor stations in our communities to supply such gas. It seems illogical to me that we would not fix the gas leaks before approving additional fossil fuel infrastructure.

We cannot keep fooling around with leaking gas and its harmful consequences. It is time for the state legislature to show some muscle and pass Rep. Barber’s bill.

Paola Massoli
Mothers out Front

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)