Amendment ID: S2025-53

Amendment 53

Repair of Natural Gas Leaks

Ms. Creem moves to amend the bill by inserting, after section 25, the following 2 sections:-

“SECTION 25A.  The first sentence of paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of section 144 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following words: -

to persons or property or the environment.

SECTION 25B.  Subsection (b) of said section 144 of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph: -

(5)  Each natural gas company shall estimate the amount of methane or natural gas released by each unrepaired Grade 2 and Grade 3 within the company’s control.  The gas company shall annually determine which Grade 2 and Grade 3 leaks are within the top 20 per cent of all Grade 2 and Grade 3 leaks identified according to the amount of methane or natural gas released, and shall make the determination publicly available by February 15 . Any Grade 2 or Grade 3 leak which is estimated to be releasing methane or natural gas within the top 20 per cent of all Grade 2 and Grade 3 leaks identified in the previous calendar year shall be considered a Grade 1 leak and each of these leaks shall be repaired not later than December 31 following such identification.”.