Section 30. The department may, after notice and a public hearing, authorize a gas or electric company to carry on its business in any town in the commonwealth other than the town named in its agreement of association or charter, subject to sections eighty-six to eighty-eight, inclusive, and it may purchase, hold and convey real and personal estate in such other town necessary for carrying on its business therein. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, in deciding whether to exercise its authority pursuant to this section, the department shall consider whether a request to authorize gas distribution service is reasonable and in the public interest; provided, however, that in determining reasonableness and the public interest, the department shall consider factors including, but not limited to: (i) the commonwealth's interest in complying with the greenhouse gas emissions limits and sublimits established pursuant to chapter 21N, including the statewide emissions limit set for 2050; (ii) the commonwealth's interest in avoiding the stranding of assets and the likelihood of costs being borne by ratepayers; and (iii) whether an alternative to gas service is available and likely to provide substantially similar service, which shall include consideration of cost.
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