TUE Hearing TUES10/15 re Pipeline Contracts/DPU Reform Bill!
Katy Eiseman
Friends & Allies:
NEXT TUESDAY, at 1:00PM in Room A-1, the TUE Committee will hear H.2812, Rep. Natalie Blais’ version of the Kulik/Eldridge “DPU Reform Bill” that 100 members of the House signed on in support of last session (a version of the bill passed in the Senate omnibus bill last session, but TUE sent the stand-alone bill to study).
The Weymouth compressor station fight could have been avoided if the DPU had denied Eversource its contract with Enbridge (then Spectra).
The ongoing TGP fight in the Greater Springfield area would have been avoided if the DPU had denied Columbia Gas its contract with TGP.
TGP/Kinder Morgan’s NED would have faded away much sooner if the DPU hadn’t approved every single contract that came its way.
The West Roxbury Lateral/Spectra AIM project hinged on DPU-approved contracts as well.
PLEASE HELP FILL THE ROOM ON TUESDAY!
H.2812 primarily focuses on the DPU's role as gatekeeper to interstate gas infrastructure projects. This proposed legislation would accomplish the following:
· Allow for more involvement from impacted communities and ratepayers in DPU proceedings
· Protect ratepayers against self-dealing by energy conglomerates
· Require consideration of siting impacts and detailed alternative analysis, including protections to conservation lands
· Require competitive bidding for low/zero emissions non-gas energy solutions prior to seeking approval of contracts for gas infrastructure expansion
· Prohibit DPU approval of contracts for gas infrastructure expansion when the gas utility seeking expansion is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board
· Codify the August 2016 ruling by the Supreme Judicial Court, which found that a proposal by the DPU violated the 1997 Restructuring Act and put consumers at risk
· Protect landowners from avoidable intrusion by pipeline companies
Here is the full factsheet.
Here is the text of the bill.
Here is the 100 Reps’ joint testimony from last session.
Thank you for your help in raising the profile of this bill. Please contact me if you have any questions about the bill, the hearing, or next steps.