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Bills to Watch
In New Jersey the Assembly Telecommunications & Utilities Committee held a hearing on October 2 and heard testimony concerning recent increases in electricity rates and the related cost burden on customers. Specifically, Republicans and some Democrats want to push back on Governor Murphy’s Clean Energy goals and the policies in the Energy Master Plan saying these goals are unachievable and unaffordable. It is likely we will see legislation introduced in the next several months that will attempt to limit anticipated cost increases.
PJM also offered testimony at the hearing focused on the need to build more generation and transmission, and to delay the retirement of existing generation. PJM also acknowledged the 900% increase in the recent capacity auction indicating that these higher charges will continue in 2025.
On September 19, 2024, S-2862, which requires the BPU to develop a program to promote women-owned, minority owned, veteran-owned, or LGBTQ-owned energy businesses in the State, was referred to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. The identical bill, A3781, was passed by the Assembly in June.
On September 19, 2024, Assemblyman Sauickie introduced A-4786, which prohibits utilities from charging smart meter opt-out fees.
On September 19, 2024, Assemblyman Sauickie also introduced A-4787, which requires electric public utilities to conduct wellness checks in age-restricted communities during power outages
On September 19, 2024, Assemblyman Sauickie introduced A-4788, which exempts purchases of natural gas and electricity for residential customers from sales and use tax.
On September 19, 2024, Assemblyman Sauickie introduced A4790, which requires electric public utilities to report certain information concerning power outages on their website and to the BPU.
On September 19, 2024. Assemblyman Bailey introduced A-4817, which requires electric and gas public utilities to establish an “Energy Bill Watch” program to notify a smart meter customer when the customer’s electricity or gas usage exceeds certain thresholds. The bill also requires that utility bills include the dollar amount charged the previous cycle, the current cycle and the difference between the amounts. Senator Burzichelli introduced the identical bill, S-3620.
On September 19, 2024 , Assemblyman Sauickie introduced A4843, which requires electric public utilities to provide industrial portable power stations accessible to customers during certain power outages.
On September 23, 2024, Assemblyman Calabrese introduced A4858, which establishes tax credits, and a financial grant for the construction and operation of advanced nuclear energy facilities.
Senator Zwicker introduced S-3737, which revises requirements for certain greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting activities.
