Code of Massachusetts Regulations 220 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Here’s a refined overview of 220 CMR – Department of Public Utilities, which governs electric, gas, water utilities, and certain transport providers in Massachusetts:
📘 Overview & Structure
Massachusetts Code of Regulations Title 220 contains DPU rules across a wide array of topics—from procedural governance to pipeline safety:
220 CMR 1.00–2.00 – Procedural rules and protocols (e.g., Section 1.01 defines scope & waivers) (regulations.justia.com)
5.00–14.00 – Tariffs, cost‑recovery, and unbundled services (mass.gov)
17.00–24.00 – Renewable energy contracts, net metering, emergency performance standards
25.00–29.00 – Billing, security deposits, termination procedures, condo billing rules (e.g., 25.01 definitions) (mass.gov)
31.00, 36.00, 45.00, 50–52, 69.00, 75–79.00, 100–115.00, 114.00, 125–126.00, 149–156.00, 250–274.00 – Covering utilities’ rate of return, meter testing, pipeline & utility safety, natural gas storage, leak classifications, power-line attachments, motor-carrier oversight, telecommunication services, and more (mass.gov)
🔍 Selected Highlights
220 CMR 25.00 – Billing & Termination
Applies to all investor-owned and municipal gas, electric, water utilities—excluding certain accounts (e.g., hotels, nursing homes).
Full billing definitions and hardship/payment plan rules are laid out in 25.01–25.02 (law.cornell.edu).
220 CMR 69.00 – Pipeline Safety Enforcement
Establishes procedures for investigating violations of DPU and federal pipeline safety codes (including 49 CFR Parts 192 & 193) (law.cornell.edu).
220 CMR 114.00 – Gas Leak Classification
(Effective March 22, 2019) Sets uniform standards for classifying and repairing gas leaks, especially those in school zones and environmentally significant “Grade 3” leaks (windot.com).
🧭 Navigating & Accessing the Regulations
The Mass.gov site provides a table of contents with clickable links to individual parts (e.g., 25.00 billing, 114.00 leak classification) (mass.gov).
Justia and Cornell LII host consolidated versions but note they may lag behind the official State Bookstore edition (law.cornell.edu).
For official, current text, purchasing from the State Bookstore (Boston, Room 116) or ordering online is recommended .
✅ Summary
220 CMR sets comprehensive regulations for Massachusetts utilities and certain transportation areas. It covers:
Procedural rules (Part 1–2)
Utility finances, billing, consumer protections (Part 5–29)
Renewable energy policy (Part 17–24)
Safety frameworks for pipelines, leaks, and utilities (Part 69, 100–115, 114)
Transport and utility infrastructure regulation (Parts 250–274)
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