Amendment #28 to H4912

Gas Gate Amendment

Mr. Ryan of Boston moves to amend the bill, as amended, by inserting the following new Section:

“Section XX. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended in Section 144, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, by inserting at the end thereof the following new subsections: (g) Upon the undertaking of any planned project involving excavation for purposes of performing maintenance on or construction involving any gas mains or services by gas company employees, or any blasting work, the gas company shall ensure that its employees first locate and identify and mark all gas gates and valves, and verify that all are cleared, operational and accessible in clear sight at ground level in advance of any excavation; and that said gas gates and valves are left cleared, and operational following any such project.

(h)the gas company shall ensure that any shut off valve in the significant project area has a gate box installed upon it by its employees to ensure continued public safety.

(i)Failure to undertake verification that gas gates and valves have been cleared, and are both operational and accessible prior to the start of and following an excavation, or blasting work, shall be subject to a fine of up to $10,000.”

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #28, as changed to H4912

Gas Gate Amendment