Bill > H2850

This bill aims to enhance natural gas safety and responsibility in the state. Key provisions include: - Allowing the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to fine gas companies up to $2 million per day if they fail to restore service by a set deadline after a declared public utility emergency, and up to $5 million per day if the emergency was caused by the company's failure to maintain infrastructure. - Requiring gas companies to credit customers' monthly bills for any service outages over 24 hours, and to provide written notice of all charges still accruing during any temporary bill suspension. - Mandating the DPU to create a task force with gas companies to develop emergency response plans, and to promulgate regulations for winter surveillance and patrol of cast iron pipes. - Expanding reporting requirements for gas leaks, their locations, repairs, and related costs to increase transparency. - Allowing municipalities to determine if school days lost due to a declared emergency do not need to be made up. The bill aims to improve natural gas infrastructure maintenance, emergency response, and consumer protections in Massachusetts.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H2850