Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Sen. Gene Yaw announced legislation March 26 to increase the availability of natural gas to homes and businesses.

Yaw, who represents a rural district in north central Pennsylvania, said only half of Pennsylvania homes are heated with natural gas. “We’re sitting on one of the largest deposits of natural gas in the world and don’t have access to it,” he said at a press conference.

Senate Bill 738 would require all natural gas distribution utilities  to submit reports to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission outlining their plans for pipeline extension and expansion projects. The bill also would expedite such projects if an economic development agency or a large number of customers want natural gas service.

Senate Bill 739 would provide $15 million in grants to schools, hospitals and businesses to fund up to half of the cost of extension projects.

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