Bill > S1959

This bill aims to ensure gas safety and consumer fairness. It has several key provisions: 1. It disallows the allocation to ratepayers of the cost of lost and unaccounted for gas from leaking infrastructure by January 1, 2023. 2. It requires gas companies to notify fire departments and law enforcement within an hour of detecting Grade 2 and Grade 3 gas leaks. 3. It sets stricter timelines and requirements for the repair of different grades of gas leaks, including those near schools, hazardous trees, and with significant environmental impact. 4. It mandates the annual reporting of detailed data on gas leaks and infrastructure by gas companies, which will be made publicly available. 5. It requires the Department of Public Utilities to establish standards for winter surveillance and patrol of cast iron pipes prone to cracking and leaks due to frost. 6. It requires gas companies to file plans to address aging or leaking natural gas infrastructure to reduce leaks and lost gas, with specific requirements for the content of those plans. 7. It requires the Department to send approved gas infrastructure replacement plans to the municipalities whose service territories are covered by those plans.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1959