Amendment ID: S2073-13

Amendment 13

Damage or loss due to natural gas leaks

Ms. Creem and Mr. Keenan move to amend the amendment by inserting in Section 2, the following new subsection:-

SECTION X. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 146. (a) Any suspected damage to a tree due to a natural gas leak should be reported to the gas company for mandatory inspection by a qualified arborist.

(b) If a qualified arborist determines that a tree is damaged or killed by a natural gas leak, the gas company shall repair or replace the pipeline where the leak is present no later than one year from the date the leak was detected or before a tree is replaced.

(c) If a qualified arborist determines that a tree is damaged or killed by a natural gas leak, the gas company shall provide the entity which owns the tree with the funds to replace the compromised tree.

(d) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.