BOSTON GAS COMPANY vs. CITY OF SOMERVILLE.

LYNCH, J. The plaintiff's complaint for declaratory relief pursuant to G. L. c. 231A (1992 ed.), challenges the constitutionality

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of Section 12-20 of the Somerville Code of Ordinances (ordinance). [Note 1] After a judge in the Superior Court denied the plaintiff's request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the ordinance, the parties filed cross motions for summary judgment. The judge allowed the city of Somerville's (defendant's) motion for summary judgment, and the plaintiff appealed. A single justice of the Appeals Court, pursuant to G. L. c. 231, Section 118 (1992 ed.), enjoined the defendant from enforcing the ordinance pending appeal. We granted the plaintiff's application for direct appellate review.

The plaintiff contends that the ordinance is invalid under Section 6 of art. 89 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution (Home Rule Amendment), because it is inconsistent with G. L. c. 164 (1992 ed.), the State's regulatory scheme for public utilities. [Note 2] We agree. Municipalities may not adopt by-laws or ordinances that are inconsistent with State laws. See American Motorcyclist Ass'n v. Park Comm'n of Brockton, 412 Mass. 753, 756 (1992) (invalidating local regulation banning use of motorcycles because regulation inconsistent with statute giving person right to operate motor vehicle); New England Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Lowell, 369 Mass. 831, 834-835 (1976) (invalidating ordinance requiring registered land

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surveyors and professional engineers contrary to statute exempting engineers subject to Department of Public Utilities regulations from registration requirements); Del Duca v. Town Adm'r of Methuen, 368 Mass. 1, 9 (1975) (holding ordinance facially inconsistent with statute and therefore void). See also art. 89, Section 6; G. L. c. 43B, Section 13 (1992 ed.). To determine whether a local ordinance is inconsistent with a statute, this court has looked to see whether there was either an express legislative intent to forbid local activity on the same subject or whether the local regulation would somehow frustrate the purpose of the statute so as to warrant an inference that the Legislature intended to preempt the subject. Bloom v. Worcester, 363 Mass. 136, 155-156 (1973). Moreover, in some circumstances we can infer that the Legislature intended to preempt the field because legislation on the subject is so comprehensive that any local enactment would frustrate the statute's purpose. Wendell v. Attorney Gen., 394 Mass. 518, 527-528 (1985). See also New England Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Lowell, supra (intent to preempt inferred from comprehensive legislative scheme).

The manufacture and sale of gas and electricity by public utilities is governed by G. L. c. 164. Given the comprehensive nature of this statute, we conclude that the Legislature intended to preempt local entities from enacting legislation in this area. See Boston Edison Co. v. Boston, 390 Mass. 772, 774 (1984) (recognizing comprehensiveness of G. L. c. 164). Furthermore, the ordinance is inconsistent with particular provisions of the statute and the regulations of the Department of Public Utilities (department).

When the plaintiff excavates a street to work on its underground gas distribution facilities or to provide gas service to the general public, the department mandates that the plaintiff utilize a "least-cost" strategy to repair the excavation site including the use of competitive bidding procedures. See D.P.U. 93-60 at 232-233 (1993). See also D.P.U. 92-210 at 196 (1993). However, because of the ordinance the plaintiff must hire a "city contract representative," selected by the defendant, to provide patching, paving, and repair services at

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specified rates which, the plaintiff contends, exceed the rates it previously obtained with competitive bidding. [Note 3] The ordinance also requires the plaintiff to use certain materials and paving techniques, such as infrared paving methods. [Note 4] Moreover, under the ordinance, the plaintiff's responsibility for the excavation site continues for three years beyond the final infrared treatment, even though G. L. c. 164, Section 70, does not require the plaintiff to maintain the street after the excavation site has been repaired. [Note 5] General Laws c. 164, Section 70, on the other hand, only requires the plaintiff to return an excavation site back to its original condition. See Wendell v. Attorney Gen., supra at 528 (holding by-law inconsistent because imposed conditions beyond those established by statute and exceeded town board of health authority). Because the ordinance conflicts with the statutory scheme for regulating public utilities, we conclude that it is inconsistent with c. 164 and therefore invalid. See New England Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Lowell, supra at 834 (discussing desirability of uniform utility regulation).

Finally, although the defendant argues that G. L. c. 164, Section 75, [Note 6] gives it the authority to regulate in this area, we conclude

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that the defendant cannot use its limited authority to enact an ordinance which has the practical effect of frustrating the fundamental State policy of ensuring uniform and efficient utility services to the public. See New England Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Lowell, supra at 833, 835 (holding ordinance invalid despite city's statutory authority to establish reasonable regulations for welfare of citizens).

The judgment of the Superior Court is vacated. The case is remanded for the entry of a judgment declaring that Section 12-20 of the Somerville Code of Ordinances is invalid.

So ordered.