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 report for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 the proactive measures taken by the DPU and gas distribution companies to repair and monitor leaks.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions related to the Gas System Enhancement Plan (GSEP) Statute, which aims to accelerate the replacement of leak-prone infrastructure. The GSEP requires gas distribution companies to submit annual plans that include interim targets for replacing eligible infrastructure and addressing leak rates, with specific 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, thereby granting the DPU greater authority to mandate comprehensive measures for addressing leak-prone pipes. The ongoing efforts of various gas distribution companies, including Berkshire Gas Company, National Grid, Liberty Utilities, Eversource Gas, and NSTAR Gas, are highlighted, with a focus on public safety and environmental protection as they work towards replacing aging infrastructure by 2034 or 2039.