A three bill package to expand natural gas infrastructure
was the topic of a House Energy & Technology Committee hearing this week. House
Bills 5555, 5556,
and 5557
were introduced by Committee Chairman Representative Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton)
and Representative Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) and are aimed to provide the
infrastructure necessary to serve currently underserved areas as well as
increase fines for non-compliance with safety provisions.
House
Bill 5555 allows a natural gas utility to file an Infrastructure Expansion
Investment Plan with the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) to build new
infrastructure. The PSC would be required to hold a hearing under the plan
within 180 days of filing, and issue an order to amend, approve, or disapprove
the plan.
HB 5556
increases fines for violation of rules while constructing the new
infrastructure to levels more consistent with federal standards, increasing the
minimum fine from $10,000 to $20,000 per day, and increasing the maximum fine
from $500,000 to $800,000.
HB 5557
prohibits the PSC from allowing rate increases by utilities to recover charges
from fines.