(a) For purposes of this chapter, âcommission-regulated gas pipeline facilityâ has the same meaning as defined in Section 950. (b) With priority given to safety, reliability, and affordability of service, the commission shall adopt rules and procedures governing the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of those commission-regulated gas pipeline facilities that are intrastate transmission and distribution lines, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 950, to achieve both of the following: (1) Minimize leaks as a hazard to be mitigated pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 961, consistent with the requirements of Section 192.703(c) of Subpart M of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the commissionâs General Order 112-E, and their successors. (2) While giving due consideration to the cost considerations of Section 977, reduce emissions of natural gas from those commission-regulated gas pipeline facilities that are intrastate transmission and distribution lines to the maximum extent feasible in order to advance the stateâs goals in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code). (c) As soon as practicable, the commission shall require gas corporations to file a report that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following: (1) A summary of utility leak management practices. (2) A list of new methane leaks in 2013 by grade. (3) A list of open leaks that are being monitored or are scheduled to be repaired. (4) A best estimate of gas loss due to leaks. (d) Not later than January 15, 2015, the commission, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall commence a proceeding to adopt rules and procedures for those commission-regulated pipeline facilities that are intrastate transmission and distribution lines, as respectively described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 950, to achieve the goals of subdivision (b). (e) The rules and procedures adopted pursuant to subdivision (d) shall accomplish all of the following: (1) Provide for the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective avoidance, reduction, and repair of leaks and leaking components in those commission-regulated gas pipeline facilities that are intrastate transmission and distribution lines within a reasonable time after discovery, consistent with the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code) to achieve the goals in subdivision (b). (2) Provide for the repair of leaks as soon as reasonably possible after discovery, consistent with established safety requirements and the goals of reducing air pollution and the climate change impacts of methane emissions. (3) Evaluate the operations, maintenance, and repair practices of those commission-regulated gas pipeline facilities that are intrastate transmission and distribution lines to determine whether existing practices are effective at reducing methane leaks and promoting public safety, consistent with Section 961, achieve the goals of subdivision (b), and whether alternative practices may be more effective at achieving the goals of subdivision (b). (4) Establish and require the use of best practices for leak surveys, patrols, leak survey technology, leak prevention, and leak reduction. The commission shall consider in the development of best practices the quality of materials and equipment. Collected leak data shall remain the property of the utility and shall be available to the commission and parties in commission proceedings as determined by the commission or specified by statute. (5) Establish protocols and procedures for the development and use of metrics to quantify the volume of emissions from leaking gas pipeline facilities, and for evaluating and tracking leaks geographically and over time,
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