Beginning July 1, 2013, the department of public utilities shall permit each natural gas company in the commonwealth to design and offer programs to consumers which increase the availability, affordability or feasibility of natural gas service for customers.  Subject to the department’s approval prior to implementation, such programs may include alternative rate structures to cover program costs including customer conversions costs, main extensions or other costs for facilities necessary to add new customers through the program, cost-sharing, incentives or other innovative means to accelerate the creation of jobs within the state and the realization of benefits of the expansion of and conversion to efficient natural gas usage in the commonwealth.  The department shall review and approve proposed programs for each gas company on a cost-effectiveness standard and on a schedule that enables timely customer access to available programs.  In the next general distribution rate proceeding, reasonable and prudent customer costs and associated revenues added since the last general distribution rate proceeding shall be included in the cost of service and such customers shall thereafter take service at the rate approved by the Department in the general distribution rate proceeding.