Bill Text: NJ A2384 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Creates "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force" in Governor's office.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [A2384 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A2384-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WILLIAM W. SPEARMAN
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Creates "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force" in Governor's office.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act creating the "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force."
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is created in the Office of the Governor the "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force." The purpose of the task force shall be to develop a comprehensive master plan for the modernization of New Jersey's electric transmission and distribution system in anticipation of increased demand and distributed energy supply, as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the increased adoption of electric vehicles, the construction of additional residential solar energy facilities, and the increased use of electric heating systems. The task force shall also examine and make policy recommendations on the issue of maintaining appropriate funding for the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority established by section 4 of the "New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act of 1984," P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-4), in light of the increased adoption of electric vehicles, and such other related issues as the task force determines necessary.
b. The task force shall consist of 15 members as follows:
(1) the President of the Board of Public Utilities, ex officio, or the president's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;
(2) the Commissioner of Community Affairs, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) the Commissioner of Transportation, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, ex officio, or the chief executive officer's designee;
(6) two representatives of electric public utilities in the State, appointed by the Governor;
(7) one representative of the residential and commercial construction industry, appointed by the Governor;
(8) one representative of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, appointed by the Governor;
(9) one representative of the electric engineering industry, appointed by the Governor;
(10) one representative of the manufacturing industry, appointed by the Governor;
(11) two members of the public appointed by the Governor;
(12) one member of the public appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(13) one member of the public appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.
c. The members of the public appointed to the task force shall have experience or expertise in the economic, legal, policy, or technical aspects electricity transmission and distribution and may include representatives of the power generation sector, academics, or independent engineers.
d. Appointments to the task force shall be made no later than 30 days after the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
e. The task force shall organize as soon as practicable, but no later than 30 days following the appointment of six of its members. The task force may appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force. The task force shall meet at the call of the chairperson. At least six members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of task force business.
f. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenditures incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the task force within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes.
g. The Office of the Governor shall provide stenographic, clerical, and other administrative assistants, and such professional staff as the task force requires to carry out its work. The task force also shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available for its purposes.
h. The task force shall be subject to the provisions of the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).
i. A true copy of the minutes of every meeting of the task force shall be prepared and made available to the public. The minutes shall also be made available on the Office of the Governor's Internet website.
j. No later than one year after its organization, the task force shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, a master plan for the modernization of New Jersey's electric transmission and distribution system. The master plan shall contain the findings and recommendations of the task force, including any recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or local government action. The master plan shall also contain recommendations for maintaining appropriate funding levels for the Transportation Trust Fund Authority.
k. The task force shall expire 30 days after issuance of the report pursuant to subsection j. of this section.
l. As used in this section, "transmission and distribution
system" means the same as the term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-51).
2. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall expire 30 days after issuance of the report required pursuant to subsection j. of section 1 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would create the "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force" (task force) in the Office of the Governor.
The task force would be charged with developing a comprehensive master plan for the modernization of New Jersey's electric grid in anticipation of trends such as the increased adoption of electric vehicles, the construction of additional residential solar facilities, and the increased use of electric heating systems. The task force would also examine the issue of maintaining appropriate funding for the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority established by section 4 of the "New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act of 1984," P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-4), in light of the increased adoption of electric vehicles.
The task force would consist of: the President of the Board of Public Utilities; the Commissioners of Community Affairs Environmental Protection, and Transportation; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; representatives from electric public utilities, the construction industry, the electrical engineering industry, the manufacturing industry, and the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers; and members of the public appointed by the Governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature. No later than one year after its organization, the task force would be required to submit its master plan to the Governor and the Legislature. The task force would expire 30 days after it submits the master plan.
