Legis H.2848 CONSUMER SAFETY and FAIRNESS Somerville DRAFT Resolution 2019-05-27 — File 208892

CITY OF SOMERVILLE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN ACT TO ENSURE GAS SAFETY AND CONSUMER FAIRNESS HOUSE H. 2848 WHEREAS: gas leaks in the state have not been significantly reduced since passage of Ch, 149, Acts of 2014, An Act Relative To Natural Gas Leaks, and ratepayers still pay for lost gas; and WHEREAS: it is essential that we keep our communities safe and protect property; and WHEREAS: recent events have demonstrated the safety risks of gas infrastructure; and WHEREAS: Massachusetts House H. 2848: “An Act to Ensure Gas Safety and Consumer Protection” will protect ratepayers from the cost of any lost and unaccounted for gas; and WHEREAS: allows a municipality or person whose property has been damaged by a gas company to submit a claim for such damages; and WHEREAS: demands that a gas company notify the fire department and chief law enforcement officer in each city or town where a Grade 3 leak is identified within an hour of detection of such leak; and WHEREAS: demands that a gas company survey pipelines in every school zone at least once every 12 months or during the next scheduled survey, whichever is sooner; and WHEREAS: will expedite the intervention of the public utilities to address and repair leak to improve consumer safety as well prevent damage to properties, including trees; and will improve coordination of work and sharing of critical information between public utilities, the Department of Public Utilities and municipalities; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Somerville City Council, as duly elected representatives, strongly support House H. 2848 to protect consumers; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Somerville City Clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the elected delegation of Representatives and Senators in the State Legislature for Somerville, well as House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Governor Baker. Somerville City Council By _________________________ City Clerk Dated: __________ Dated: __________