Provides that in the case of any application for gas service to a building which is not supplied with gas, a utility corporation or municipality shall be obligated to provide gas service to such building.
Summary
A08888 amends New York’s Public Service Law to create an explicit obligation for utility corporations and municipalities to provide gas service to a building that is not already supplied with gas when a customer applies for service. The bill mirrors existing language for electric service and adds a new subdivision specifically addressing gas hookups for new customers.
Under the bill, the Public Service Commission would still be able to require applicants to pay or agree in writing to pay the material and installation costs associated with the pipe or other facilities needed to extend service to the property. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
The bill would change section 31 of the Public Service Law by adding a new subdivision 4-a and clarifying that gas utilities and municipal providers have a statutory duty to serve new gas customers, subject to cost-sharing for extension infrastructure. It would affect utility corporations, municipalities, the Public Service Commission, and property owners or developers seeking gas service for buildings not currently connected to gas lines.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill received generally favorable committee support, advancing through the Assembly Rules Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee with majority yes votes. No committee transcript is available, so the broader debate cannot be fully assessed, but the recorded votes indicate the measure was viewed positively by a majority of members at the committee stage.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the mandate placed on utilities and municipalities to provide gas service to previously unserved buildings, which could raise concerns about infrastructure expansion, utility costs, and policy direction around fossil fuel service. Supporters appear to favor the bill as a customer-service and access measure, while opponents may object to requiring gas hookups or to the financial and operational burdens associated with extending gas infrastructure.
Same As
Provides that in the case of any application for gas service to a building which is not supplied with gas, a utility corporation or municipality shall be obligated to provide gas service to such building.