The bill mandates the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to submit an annual report to the Joint Committees on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, and Public Safety and Homeland Security regarding natural gas leaks in the state's distribution system. This report, required by the 2014 Act Relative to Natural Gas Leaks, must detail the total number of Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 leaks, estimates for lost and unaccounted-for natural gas (LAUF) and methane emissions, and time and cost estimates for addressing the backlog of leaks. The 2023 report indicates a total of 22,531 leaks, with 5,033 classified as Grade 1, 3,960 as Grade 2, and 13,538 as Grade 3. The bill emphasizes the need to address aging infrastructure, particularly cast-iron and non-cathodically protected steel pipes, and highlights ongoing efforts by gas distribution companies to repair leaks.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions related to pipeline replacement programs under the Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP) Statute, which accelerates the replacement of leak-prone infrastructure. Gas distribution companies are required to submit annual plans with interim targets for reducing leak rates and replacing aging infrastructure, including timelines and estimated costs. The bill modifies the definition of eligible infrastructure investment to encompass not only replacement but also retirement or improvement of existing infrastructure, granting the DPU greater authority to enforce measures beyond simple replacement. The DPU will monitor the progress of gas distribution companies in repairing leaks and replacing aging infrastructure, ensuring public safety and environmental concerns are prioritized while aligning with the Commonwealth's climate goals.