Jul. 2--PROVIDENCE -- Following Senate approval on Tuesday, state law will now require that natural gas companies consult with homeowners about planned utility upgrades and give preference to homeowners for placement of any new equipment.

The legislation (Senate bill 0107A and House bill 5088A) grew out of a dispute last summer in the city's historic Broadway and Armory neighborhoods, when National Grid began installing a new high-pressure gas line and started moving about 250 residential gas meters from basements and interiors to exteriors to ease meter reading and shutoffs.

Residents objected to the utility work, complaining that the meters and pressure regulators detracted from the historical integrity of their homes.

Under the legislation, which passed the House earlier in June, utilities would be banned from moving gas meters and gas regulators to the front of residences or any side visible from a public right-of-way -- unless there is no other location available.

On houses in historic districts, the legislation would prohibit the installation of gas meters or regulators on the exterior altogether unless the property owner and the local historic district commission consent.

If an outdoor meter was installed on a historical home, the owner would be allowed to obscure it by painting it over or hiding it with shrubs or landscaping.

The West Broadway Neighborhood Association and other resident groups have pushed for passing a state law to prevent a similar situation in other historical neighborhoods in the state.

But they have been critical of the elimination of a provision in the law that would have created an appeals process for homeowners through the state Public Utilities Commission.

National Grid fought the inclusion of the appeals process in the legislation, and compromised with West Broadway residents by agreeing to restore properties that were damaged during the work done last summer.

The bill's sponsors, Sen. Paul V. Jabour, D-Providence, and Rep. Steven M. Costantino, D-Providence, both of whom represent the Broadway and Armory neighborhoods, said the bill is about protecting property rights.

"This legislation is aimed at making sure homeowners have a say in where the company places meters, and that every effort is made not to spoil the character of anyone's home," said Jabour in a statement.

"Nobody has a right to install something on private property without the permission of the property owner, including the gas company. Homeowners should have a say in the matter," Costantino said in a statement.

Jabour and Costantino also said that more should be done to protect historical homes. "Here in Rhode Island, where we are fortunate enough to have an abundance of historic buildings, protecting them has to be a priority," said Costantino.

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