SB 1359: Natural Gas Ratepayer Protection Act.

<p>The Gas Transition Responsibility and Electrification Act amends existing laws to align natural gas utilities with California's greenhouse gas reduction goals and policies promoting building electrification. It requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to ensure rates are consistent with these mandates, allowing infrastructure retirement if continued operation is deemed inconsistent with public interest.</p> <p>The bill prohibits recovery of costs related to avoidable natural gas leakage from ratepayers starting January 1, 2030 and mandates that any capital investment over $10 million for natural gas distribution must align with emission reduction targets. It also requires the PUC to develop a framework for transitioning the natural gas system.</p> <p>Each gas corporation is required to establish a decommissioning trust funded by shareholders, not ratepayers, starting January 1,…