Bill > H3323

This bill aims to ensure gas safety and consumer fairness in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Prohibiting the allocation of the cost of lost and unaccounted-for gas from leaking infrastructure to ratepayers by January 1, 2025. 2. Requiring gas companies to notify fire departments and law enforcement within one hour of detecting Grade 2 and Grade 3 leaks, and mandating the repair of Grade 2 leaks within 6 months. 3. Establishing a definition for "Grade 3 leaks with significant environmental impact" and requiring gas companies to survey such leaks and provide detailed reports to municipalities. 4. Mandating annual surveys of pipelines in school zones and the repair of Grade 3 leaks in those areas within 6 months. 5. Requiring gas companies to report comprehensive data on gas leaks, infrastructure, and costs in their annual service quality standards report, which will be made publicly available. 6. Directing the Department of Public Utilities to promulgate regulations for winter surveillance and patrol of cast iron pipes prone to hazardous frost cap conditions. 7. Strengthening the requirements for gas companies' infrastructure replacement plans, including the consideration of cost-effective repairs for certain Grade 3 leaks. The overall goal of this bill is to enhance gas safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from leaks, and ensure fairness for consumers by addressing the cost of lost and unaccounted-for gas.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3323