Amendment ID: S2372-64-R3

3rd Redraft Amendment 64

Gas Leak Repairs I

Mr. Eldridge, Ms. Creem, Messrs. Wolf and Donnelly, Ms. O'Connor Ives, Ms. L'Italien, Ms. Forry, Messrs. Welch, Boncore, Brady, Joyce, Keenan and Barrett, Ms. Chang-Diaz, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Gobi, Ms. Jehlen and Mr. Ross move to amend the amendment by inserting after section 11 the following  section:-

“SECTION 11A. Section 144 of said chapter 164, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “leaks”, in lines 37 and 39, each time it appears, the following words:-and grade 3 leaks identified as having a significant environmental impact.” and

by inserting after section 18 the following section:-

“SECTION 18A. The department of public utilities, in consultation with the department of environmental protection, shall open an investigation to establish specific criteria for the identification of the environmental impact of gas leaks that have been classified as Grade 3 pursuant to section 144 of chapter 164 of the General Laws and to establish a plan to repair leaks that are determined to have a significant environmental impact. The department, in consultation with the department of environmental protection, shall promulgate rules regarding the timeline and acceptable methods for remediation and repair of a Grade 3 leak determined to have significant environmental impact; provided, however, that no rule shall abrogate or impair a provision existing in a collective bargaining agreement relative to the timeline and methods for remediation and repair of grade 3 leaks during the terms of such agreement. The department of public utilities shall provide for the recovery of expenses incurred for repairs as part of the most cost-effective timeline for repairs under a plan submitted under section 145 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, without a reduction to the recovery for eligible pipe replacement.”.