Bill > H3356

This bill aims to hold executive agencies in Massachusetts, specifically the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Utilities, accountable for their actions related to the licensing and permitting of natural gas pipelines and compressor stations. The key provisions are: - If a public emergency arises from the construction of a natural gas pipeline or compressor station that required a license or permit from these agencies, the state Attorney General shall investigate whether the agencies willfully ignored significant public safety and health risks in issuing the necessary approvals. - If the investigation finds that the agencies or their employees engaged in negligent or "wanton and reckless" behavior (defined as being aware of and consciously disregarding substantial risks), the responsible public employees can be held civilly liable and subject to damages. - The assessment of liability will not consider federal laws as justification for the agencies' actions, placing the focus solely on the state's standards for public safety and wellbeing. - Specifically for natural gas compressor stations, any public employee found to have acted negligently in issuing permits can be subject to damages under state law. The overall intent is to create stronger accountability mechanisms for state agencies involved in the approval process for natural gas infrastructure projects that may pose risks to Massachusetts residents.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3356