How can this be legal? Doesn't it interfere with “interstate commerce”? IIRC there is at least one provision in the Constitution forbidding such an interference.
Bankrupt municipalities and entire states such as New York can't maintain their old gas pipe infrastructure. No one has the money to tear up the piping from a century ago and replace it.
You can't maintain pressurize in gas lines in newer areas without over-pressurizing pipes that are leaking in older areas.
It's all-or-nothing and since they're broke, they're choosing nothing.