Amendment ID: S2372-10

Amendment 10

Study on Recovering Lost Gas

Mr. Tarr, Ms. L'Italien, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. Eldridge, Ross and OConnor move to amend the amendment by inserting at the end thereof the following new section:-

"SECTION_. The Department of Energy Resources shall conduct a study on cost recovery for lost and unaccounted for gas. Said study shall examine existing and potential state approaches to cap or reduce to the maximum extent possible ratepayer contribution for lost and unaccounted for gas, and shall be conducted in coordination with stakeholders including 1 appointee by the speaker of the house and 1 appointee by the minority leader of the house, 1 appointee by the senate president and 1 appointee by the minority leader of the senate, a representative of the investor-owned utilities, a representative of a municipal utility, a representative of a Massachusetts academic institution with expertise in leaks on the natural gas distribution system and a representative of the environmental community. Said study along with any recommendations shall be submitted to the clerks of the house and senate, and the joint committee on telecommunications,utilities and energy no later than December 31, 2016.

Following the conclusion of the study, the Department of Public Utilities shall initiate a proceeding to determine appropriate actions to cap or reduce to the maximum extent possible cost recovery for lost and unaccounted for gas provided that the Department of Public Utilities notifies the general court at least 30 days before the initiation of said proceeding. The findings and recommendations from said proceeding shall be submitted to the clerks of the house and senate, and the joint committee telecommunications, utilities and energy no later than 30 days after the conclusion of said proceedings.