REGULATIONS
The Gas Transition Allies propose solutions and provide government agencies in Massachusetts with expertise on gas leaks, methane emissions, and renewable alternatives to gas.
Our contributions are based on scientific research, advance environmental justice, and emphasize the urgency of moving off gas to clean energy.
We participate in regulatory processes at the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) on issues concerning gas utilities, gas leaks, safety, and ratepayers.
We also engage with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on regulations regarding methane emissions and how they are measured for inclusion in greenhouse gas inventories.
We also provide public comments in gas company rate cases and other rule-making processes to advocate for environmental justice and solutions that protect low-income communities.
Current Regulations
Investigation into the Future of Gas Companies
The Gas Transition Allies are participating in the stakeholder process for DPU Docket 20-80.
In June 2020, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy petitioned DPU to “initiate an investigation to assess the future of gas distribution company operations and planning in light of the Commonwealth’s legally binding statewide limit of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
DPU directed the gas companies to engage an independent consultant to review the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP), identify possible scenarios for gas company transition, analyze these pathways, and recommend how gas companies could evolve their business to meet mandated climate goals.
The gas companies hired E3, Energy and Environmental Economics, as the independent consultant. E3 will file interim reports, leading up to a final report in March 2022.
Learn more at thefutureofgas.com, a website hosted by E3 and ECM, facilitators of the stakeholder process.
To become a stakeholder in the 20-80 process, contact info@thefutureofgas.com.
Existing Regulations
The Gas Transition Allies have testified and provided comments for several gas-related regulations now in effect. We have also contributed significantly to technical sessions with DPU officials and gas company leaders.
We are tracking how effectively these changes are overseen by DPU and implemented by the gas companies.
We are also monitoring regulation at DEP regarding how methane emissions from the gas distribution system are measured.
Rules for Methane Emissions
On March 26, 2021, the Department of Environmental Protection promulgated regulation 310 CMR 7.73 Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Distribution Mains and Services.
This regulation bases methane emissions on national estimates rather than accounting for the older, more leak prone pipe and many more leaks per mile that we have in Massachusetts.
The Gas Transition Allies have repeatedly petitioned DEP to use scientific measurements of methane in the air to calculate Massachusetts greenhouse gas emissions—to understand how much methane can be attributed to gas leaks and how much comes from other sources.
We continue to participate in program reviews and push for more accurate methane emission regulations.
Rules for Lost and Unaccounted for Gas
On December 27, 2019, the Department of Public Utilities promulgated regulation 220 CMR 115.00 Uniform Reporting of Lost and Unaccounted-For Gas.
Lost and Unaccounted for (LAUF) gas covers gas leaks, meter errors, and other ways that gas companies categorize the difference between the volume of gas purchased and the amount delivered. Customers pay the cost of this “lost” gas via a monthly charge, but have never had accurate accounting or transparent reporting from utilities.
The Gas Transition Allies drafted the legislative language and a specified deadline that led to these new rules for LAUF.
We also participated in technical sessions with the DPU and gas utilities, developed categories for LAUF, and reached agreement on how to estimate, describe, and report LAUF.
Rules for Gas Leak Repair and Reporting
On March 8, 2019, the Department of Public Utilities promulgated regulation 220 CMR 114 Uniform Natural Gas Leaks Classification.
The regulation accepts the Shared Action Plan from the Large Volume Leak Study, including the option to use the Leak Extent method to identify Grade 3 Significant Environmental Impact leaks. These G3SEI leaks must be repaired within two years or within five years if the municipality has already scheduled the road for repair.
Based on a 2016 scientific study finding that 7% of gas leaks emit over 50% of the leaked gas, the research, legislation, and plan that led to this regulation aimed to dramatically reduce methane emissions by accurately measuring and prioritizing the biggest gas leaks for repair.
The regulations also increase the frequency of gas leak reports from annually to quarterly and require tracking all leaks to the point of repair, elimination, or reclassification.