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 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 also 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 and monitor leaks.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal language that modifies the definition of eligible infrastructure investment to include not only replacement but also retirement or improvement of existing infrastructure. This change enhances the DPU's authority to require measures beyond mere replacement to address leak-prone pipes. The Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP) Statute is also emphasized, requiring gas distribution companies to submit annual plans with interim targets for reducing leak rates and replacing aging infrastructure. The bill underscores the importance of public safety, service reliability, and environmental considerations in addressing gas leaks and improving the integrity of the gas distribution system.