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General Laws

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Section 1Definitions
Section 1ARetail access to generation services and choice of suppliers; electric company restructuring; divestment; ownership and operation of generating facility producing solar energy
Section 1BService territories for distribution companies; rates
Section 1CMarketing companies
Section 1DBilling of retail customers; notice of offers available by participating non-utility competitive suppliers; payment to supplier by electric distribution company
Section 1EPerformance based rate schemes; labor displacement or reductions; mediation of small claims
Section 1FConsumer protections; rules and regulations
Section 1GTransition costs and charges
Section 1HFinancing orders
Section 1IService quality standards reports to be filed by investor-owned electric distribution, transmission, and natural gas distribution companies; penalty for failure to meet service quality standards
Section 1JEstablishment of standards of acceptable performance for emergency preparation and restoration of service for electric and gas distribution companies; investigation of violation of standards; penalties
Section 1KPenalties to be credited back to customers
Section 2Construction
Section 3Corporations governed by chapter
Section 4Application of chapter 156B
Section 4AState secretary; examination of documents; approval; instances of corporate omission
Section 5Organization of corporation; certification by state secretary
Section 5AName; restrictions; injunctive relief
Section 6Articles of organization; contents
Section 7Repealed, 1973, 860, Sec. 6
Section 8Amendment of articles of organization; changes in capital stock or corporate name
Section 8AAmendment of articles of organization; change in business authorized or any other change
Section 8BArticles of amendment; submission to state secretary; effective date; filing
Section 8CRestatement of articles of organization; adoption; submission to state secretary; filing; effective date
Section 8DConfirmation of organization or subsequent proceedings; certificate; submission to state secretary; effective date
Section 9Hydro-electric plants; issue of preferred stock and bonds; acquisition of storage reservoir
Section 9AElectric companies providing electricity to other companies; ownership of stock
Section 10Issuance of capital stock; notification of department
Section 11Payment of price of share
Section 12Improper issue of stock or scrip certificates; effect; penalty
Section 12AConvertible debentures
Section 13Mortgage of property
Section 13AIssuance and pledge of bonds secured by prior liens
Section 14Proceedings to determine necessity of issue of stock, bonds, coupon notes or other evidences of indebtedness
Section 15Invitation for proposals for purchase of bonds
Section 15AIssue or sale of bonds, etc. at less than par value or face amount
Section 16Making good impairment of capital stock
Section 16AInadequate depreciation allowances; corrective orders of department; use of funds restricted; enforcement
Section 17Improper issue of stock, bonds or other securities; penalty
Section 17AInvestments; approval of department; violations by officers; penalty
Section 18Disposition of shares
Section 19Sale of unissued capital stock; terms; auction sale
Section 20Commencement of business; liability of officers, contribution
Section 21Authorization necessary to transfer franchise, lease works or contract to carry on works
Section 22Deposits
Section 23Voting by stockholders; proxy
Section 24Voting by stockholders; articles of organization or by-laws controlling
Section 25Stockholders of public service corporation; use of name or title thereof prohibited; violations; penalty; proceedings; injunction; exception
Section 26 to 28Repealed, 1973, 860, Sec. 16
Section 29Change of officers; filing of certificate of change
Section 30Change of location
Section 31Amount of stock in gas companies held by corporation
Section 32Repealed, 1973, 860, Sec. 18
Section 33Fees for filing certificates, articles and copies of votes
Section 33APromotional or political advertising expenditures
Section 34Town’s authority to operate gas or electric plant or community antenna television system
Section 34AMunicipal street lighting service
Section 34BReplacement of existing poles
Section 35Vote of city to acquire plant
Section 36Vote of town to acquire plant
Section 37Certification of vote of city or town to department
Section 38Certification of subsequent votes
Section 39Failure to certify vote; penalty
Section 40Debt incurred for establishing, purchasing, extending, etc., light plant
Section 41Enlargement of plant
Section 42Purchase of existing plant
Section 43Determination by department of purchase price; tender of deed; acquisition upon failure to tender
Section 44Repealed, 1929, 379, Sec. 3
Section 45Purchase of property in adjoining town
Section 46Distribution to adjoining town
Section 47Extension of services to adjoining town
Section 47AExemption from requirements allowing competitive choice of generation supply; prohibition of retail sales by nonmunicipal suppliers and electric companies within municipal service territory; sale of electricity at wholesale; sale of electricity in adjoining service territory; restrictions on service to present customers of municipal lighting plants; referendum on competitive choice of generation supply
Section 47BFacilities and equipment located outside municipal limits
Section 47CMunicipal lighting plant cooperatives
Section 47DExemption from public records and open meeting requirements in certain instances
Section 47EFacilities for operation of telecommunications systems for municipal use; construction, purchase, lease and maintenance; debt
Section 48 to 50Repealed, 1929, 379, Sec. 7
Section 51Purchase of gas, electricity, equipment, supplies or materials from another town
Section 52Purchase of electricity by town from street railway
Section 53Delivery by street railway; metering
Section 54Disagreement as to price paid to street railway; action of department
Section 55Municipal light board
Section 56Management of plant
Section 56AMunicipal light commission; definition; contracts of members
Section 56BContracts of commission; requisites
Section 56CContracts of commission; filing with city or town auditor; preservation; public inspection; penalty
Section 56DContracts of commission; advertisements and bids; application of section
Section 56ERemoval of members; notice and hearing; appeal
Section 57Manager’s annual financial report; tax levy; expenditure of income
Section 57AAppropriations for maintenance and operation; payment in advance of receipts
Section 57BIncome from investment or deposit of proceeds of municipal bonds or notes issued for gas or electrical purposes
Section 57CAppropriations from insurance escrow account
Section 58Schedule of prices for gas and electricity
Section 58AAdvance deposit; shut off for non-payment; removal of appliances for distribution
Section 58BLien upon real estate for nonpayment of service charges
Section 58CTime for and length of lien
Section 58DUnpaid charges added to real estate taxes
Section 58EInterest on taxes due by reason of unpaid charges
Section 58FAbatement of real estate tax imposed by reason of unpaid charges
Section 59Notice of change of price to department
Section 60Entitlement to service; review by department
Section 61Assessment of cost of establishing service
Section 62Protection of plant; municipal ordinances
Section 63Duties of municipality and its officers; violations; penalties
Section 64Repealed, 1978, 512, Sec. 13
Section 65Application of chapter to plants authorized by special act
Section 66Application of chapter and by-laws of town to plant authorized by special act
Section 67Revocation of rights, locations or licenses
Section 68Sale of plant by town
Section 69Enforcement by supreme judicial court
Section 69APurchase, sale and distribution of natural gas by municipality
Section 69BDefinitions
Section 69CCadet engineers; power of city or town to contract for training; contents of contract
Section 69DCadet engineers; selection
Section 69ECadet engineers; civil service laws; retirement benefits; workmen’s compensation
Section 69FExpenses
Section 69GDefinitions
Section 69HEnergy facilities siting board
Section 69H1/2Hydropower generation facilities
Section 69ILong-range forecasts of electric and gas companies; filing; hearings; approval
Section 69JPetition for approval of construction; notice of intention to construct oil facilities; public hearings; approval or rejection
Section 69J1/4Construction of generating facility
Section 69J1/2Fees for applications to construct electricity facilities
Section 69KCertificate of environmental impact and public interest; construction of facilities; petition; issuance; conditions; state agencies and local governments restricted; transfer; amendment; applicability
Section 69K1/2Certificate of environmental impact and public interest with respect to a generating facility
Section 69LPetition for certificate or amendment thereof; form; information required; affidavit of service and notice
Section 69L1/2Application for certificate with respect to a generating facility
Section 69MPublic hearings on petitions; national pollutant discharge elimination system permit; notices; procedures; fact sheets
Section 69NParties in interest to proceedings
Section 69ODecision granting or denying application; findings and opinions; applicability
Section 69O1/2Decision granting or denying application with regard to a generating facility; findings and opinions
Section 69PJudicial review
Section 69QJoint inter-agency investigations, hearings or orders; interstate compacts and federal agreements authorized
Section 69REminent domain; taking by electric or gas companies, generation companies or wholesale generation companies; procedures; restrictions
Section 69SEminent domain with respect to oil pipelines; requisite procedures; rights relative to taking
Section 70Opening of streets by gas company; liability; repairing streets
Section 70AApplication to department to lay main; hearing; determination; fees
Section 71Construction of transmission lines
Section 72Taking land for transmission lines
Section 72ASurvey preliminary to eminent domain proceedings; notice to landowners; damages
Section 73Pipes, mains, wires and conduits crossing railroads
Section 74Recovery by town of damages paid as result of defect in street
Section 75Regulation by municipal authorities
Section 75AInstallation of gas meters; compliance with regulations for preventing escape of gas
Section 75BQualifying to do business
Section 75CRight of eminent domain
Section 75DSurvey preliminary to eminent domain proceedings; liability
Section 75ERegulation of construction and operation
Section 75FRestoration of ground surface following installation
Section 75GMarking of location of underground line
Section 75HLicenses, permits, etc., for pipeline maintenance, construction and operation
Section 76Supervisory authority of department
Section 76ADealings with affiliated companies
Section 76BStreets or ways; construction over, across or along high pressure gas mains
Section 76CRules and regulations
Section 76DUtility underground plant damage prevention system; establishment
Section 77Annual report of department
Section 78Notice of violation
Section 79Enforcement of orders of department; equity jurisdiction
Section 80Location of office of company; records; inspection of records by department
Section 81Form of books and accounts
Section 82Form of records of work at manufacturing station
Section 83Annual return; form; other information to department
Section 84Failure to make or amend return; penalty
Section 84ACondensed return of business and financial condition
Section 85Examination of records by department; confidential nature of information; “affiliated company” defined
Section 85AFiling copies of existing contracts with affiliated companies
Section 85BEmergency response plans; submission for review and approval; contents; penalties for failure to file; denial of recovery of service restoration costs for failure to implement emergency response plan
Section 86Consent of municipality to entry of another gas company
Section 87Consent of municipality to entry of another electric company
Section 88Review of decision issued under Secs. 86 or 87
Section 89Rights of another municipality to enter another town
Section 90Conditions imposed upon entry of supplier of electricity in bulk
Section 91Enforcement of conditions imposed under Sec. 90
Section 92Right of user to gas or electricity
Section 92ARight of user in bulk to gas
Section 93Price or quality of gas or electricity; public hearing; notice
Section 94Schedule of rates, prices and charges; contracts; filing; proposed changes; notices; investigations; hearings
Section 941/2Sales of compressed natural gas for use as a motor fuel
Section 94AContracts for purchase of gas or electricity; review of price paid
Section 94BContracts with affiliated companies; approval by department
Section 94CDealings between gas or electric affiliated company; burden of proof
Section 94DPenalties for delinquencies and discounts
Section 94ENotification of termination of contract filed under Sec. 94
Section 94FRates, prices and charges of gas companies; effect of orders of F.P.C.
Section 94GProposed performance program; unit heat rate audit; public hearing; periodic report; deductions; fuel charge; base rates; rules and regulations
Section 94G.5Electric generating facilities; conversion of oil to coal
Section 94HCondominiums; common areas; rates
Section 94ICost-allocation method for determining base distribution rates
Section 95Reports of accidents
Section 96Purchase, sale, consolidation or merger; public interest determination
Section 97Acquisition of water storage reservoir or hydro-electric plant by electric company
Section 98Rights of company acquiring water storage reservoir or hydro-electric plant
Section 99Increase of capital stock to affect acquisition
Section 99AProperty held as tenants in common by electric companies
Section 100Sale of property to another gas or electric company; exceptions
Section 101Time for filing applications for approval of sales or consolidations
Section 102Consolidation of Boston Consolidated Gas and Boston Edison
Section 102AConsolidation or merger; agreement, provisions; submission of article to state secretary; form; requisites and information; approval; effectiveness; filings
Section 102BCertificate of consolidation or merger; issuance; fee
Section 102CEnforcement of consumer protection provisions; arbitration
Section 103Accuracy of meters; records
Section 104Fees of department for examining, comparing and testing gas meters
Section 105Repealed, 1956, 28
Section 105AStorage, transportation and distribution of gas; regulation; violations; civil penalties
Section 106Regulation of quality of gas
Section 107Establishing calorific standard; companies exempt from furnishing gas of standard established
Section 108Calorimeter provided by company
Section 109Inspection of gas by department; establishing new standards of purity
Section 110Gas below standard; forfeiture
Section 111Unit of measure for sale of gas
Section 112Meter provers
Section 113Use of gas meters not tested, sealed or stamped; penalty
Section 114Testing gas meters in use; cost of test
Section 115Easy ascertainment of gas meter reading
Section 115AReplacement of gas meters
Section 116Entry on premises to examine and maintain gas or electric meters
Section 116ADisconnection of services in case of fire, explosion or other disaster
Section 116BGas company to provide maintenance and improvement of gate boxes during street, sidewalk or road repair; application for assistance
Section 117Written statement of amount recorded given by meter reader
Section 118Easy ascertainment of electric meter reading
Section 119Meter rentals
Section 119AItemized statement of quantity of gas, electricity or fuel used at each of several rates
Section 120Testing electric meters in use; cost of test
Section 121Entry upon premises to make test; compensation of person making test; rules and regulations
Section 122Use of incorrect meter; refund
Section 123Prepayment meters; risk of loss of deposits
Section 124Entry of premises to stop gas or electricity
Section 124AShutting off or failing to restore service during serious illness
Section 124BShutting off gas or electric service for failure to pay for appliances; prohibition
Section 124CNursing homes, homes for the aged, convalescent homes, and hospitals; shutting off gas or electric service
Section 124DShutting off gas or electric service to tenants not customer of record
Section 124ETermination of gas and electric service; households with residents 65 or older
Section 124FShutting off service during financial hardship
Section 124GRestoration of service upon payment
Section 124HShutting off service in residence where infant domiciled
Section 124IPenalties
Section 125Refusal to supply because of default of previous occupant
Section 125ASupply to commonwealth or municipality after expiration of contract; price
Section 126Wilful injury or interference with gas meter or other property; penalty; prima facie evidence
Section 126AImpersonating an officer or servant of a gas or electric company; penalties
Section 127Intentional injury to electric meter or other property; penalty; prima facie evidence
Section 127ADestruction of or tampering with, electric or gas lines, meters, etc.; theft of electricity or gas
Section 128Guaranty fund; payment of interest, application to charges and tolls; annual return statement; violations; penalty
Section 129Definitions
Section 130Establishment of fund; filing and recording of trust instrument; trustee; dissolution of fund
Section 131Powers and duties of fund and trustee; financial statement; amount of fund; authorized trust instrument provisions; amendments; consolidation or merger of fund; taxation
Section 132Exemption of trust fund from certain insurance laws
Section 133Emergency mutual aid
Section 134Load aggregation programs
Section 135Corporate retail load aggregators
Section 136Cooperatives
Section 137Participation in group purchasing of electricity, natural gas, telecommunications services or similar products
Section 138Definitions
Section 139Class I, II or III net metering facilities; election of net metering; tariffs; limitation on aggregate capacity; rules and regulations
Section 140Neighborhood net metering facility; election of net metering; rules and regulations
Section 141Decisions or actions regarding rate design; adjustment to low-income rate discount
Section 142Removal of impediments to development of efficient, low-emissions distributed generation
Section 143Small municipal renewable energy generating facilities; issuance of bonds and notes; procurement of required services; receipt and use of revenues