Bill > H2845

This bill aims to promote gas safety in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Providing $1.5 million to hire additional gas line and pipeline inspectors within the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). 2. Establishing an Energy Infrastructure Oversight Board within the DPU to make recommendations on gas safety, oversight and inspection of gas facilities, employment of inspectors and engineers, and emergency response protocols. 3. Expanding certain worker protections under the Public Employees Collective Bargaining Law to cover "public utility employers" in addition to regular employers. 4. Requiring the DPU to investigate all customer and public complaints about gas and electricity providers and maintain a publicly accessible database of such complaints. 5. Increasing the civil penalty limits for gas and electric companies for violating safety and service quality standards. 6. Creating a special commission to review the state's gas infrastructure and report findings to the legislature. 7. Establishing a notification system for the DPU to share information about gas-related emergencies with neighboring states. 8. Giving the DPU authority to review and approve proposals for construction, renovation, or expansion of liquefied natural gas facilities. 9. Requiring the DPU to employ pipeline engineers to oversee pipeline construction and maintenance. 10. Directing the DPU to establish requirements for the maintenance and security of gas regulators.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H2845