Massachusetts bill would end a costly gas pipeline repair program
Massachusetts state senators are taking aim at a pipeline replacement program they say is inflating natural gas bills while doing little to make the system safer.
The Senate earlier this month passed a sweeping energy-affordability bill that aims to save consumers roughly $14 billion over the next 10 years. One way it proposes to create these savings is by phasing out a program known as the Gas System Enhancement Plan, or GSEP.
“It’s probably led to a lot of unnecessary spending on gas infrastructure at a time when we know we need to be winding down the gas infrastructure,” said Kyle Murray, director of state program implementation at climate nonprofit Acadia Center.
Utilities have poured far too much money into GSEP-eligible work, some advocates and lawmakers say. GSEP’s costs have increased by an average of 12% each year from the program’s inception to 2024, and 2025 spending is expected to top $900 million. Critics say utilities have also spent too much time and money replacing pipes, rather than doing less-expensive repairs. GSEP costs now make up between 8% and 11% of the average consumer’s gas bill.
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