HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3635        FILED ON: 1/15/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3135

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to corrosion and leak surveys..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 164 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after sections 75H the following 2 sections:-

Section 75 I. Each gas service provided by a gas company or municipal lighting plant to a consumer shall be inspected for corrosion and leak surveyed as required by all state and federal regulations by the company or municipal lighting plant at the premises of the consumer.

Any gas company or municipal lighting plant which violates any provision of this section, unless in the opinion of the department such violation is due to unavoidable cause, accident or lack of materials, shall forfeit twenty five dollars for each service which is not inspected for corrosion and leak surveyed as provided herein. Forfeitures incurred under this section shall not be included as expenses in connection with the establishment of rates by said companies.

Section 75J. Any new natural gas services shall be initially activated into a consumer’s residence or business only by qualified personnel under state and federal regulations