BILL NUMBER: S8042A
SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring gas
pipeline facilities to accelerate the repair, rehabilitation, and
replacement of equipment or pipelines that are leaking or leak prone and
increase safety reporting relating to gas pipeline leaks
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill creates a new section of the public service law to expedite
the identification and repair of gas pipelines that are leaking or prone
to leaking, as well as creating a more standardized process for invento-
rying and replacing pipelines that are deemed to be at high-risk for
leaking or other equipment failure.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill creates a new section of the public service law
regarding pipeline modernization and consumer protection.
Section two of the bill provides for the creation of a gas safety
report.
Section three of the bill sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The existence of leaking and leak-prone pipes is a public health and
safety hazard. Leaking gas pipeline infrastructure produces significant
carbon emissions, creating a detrimental impact on the environment and
contributes to poor air quality. New York State has set ambitious
climate goals through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection
Act (CLCPA), and the repair and replacement of gas pipeline infrastruc-
ture must be prioritized to realize those goals in a timely and effec-
tive manner. This infrastructure will continue to be utilized for
decades in the future, and cannot exist in a state of disrepair. It is
imperative to identify and repair leaking and leak-prone pipes to ensure
public safety and to reach an emissions free future.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8042: 66-u public service law
S8042A: 66-u public service law