Bill Text: NJ A3569 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires existing and new senior residential multiple dwellings to install standby generators to provide electricity in case of emergency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-12-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [A3569 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3569-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman SHAVONDA E. SUMTER
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman JERRY GREEN
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman CHARLES MAINOR
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Requires existing and new senior residential multiple dwellings to install standby generators to provide electricity in case of emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the provision of backup electricity in existing and new senior residential multiple dwellings and supplementing P.L.1975, c.119 (C.52:27D-119 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. An existing or newly-constructed residential multiple dwelling in which at least 90 percent of the units are, or will be, occupied by seniors shall be equipped with a standby emergency power generator with the ability to provide electricity to each individual unit in case of an emergency. Existing senior residential multiple dwellings required to install a standby emergency power generator pursuant to this section shall complete their installations in accordance with a schedule promulgated by the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
Installation of a standby emergency power generator shall be deemed an "eligible project" for the purpose of receiving funding through the "New Jersey Senior and Disabled Cooperative Housing Finance Incentive Program" established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1998, c.128 (C.55:14K-75).
b. (1) Any standby emergency power generator installed pursuant to this section shall have a minimum run capacity of 14 consecutive days, a load capacity capable of sustaining a general heating system for the multiple dwelling, basic electrical necessities in each unit, and be operated in compliance with requirements for such generators in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection.
(2) A standby emergency power generator installed pursuant to this section shall be checked weekly, tested under load monthly, and serviced in accordance with generally accepted engineering practices by the manager or operator of the multiple dwelling units.
(3) A standby emergency power generator installed pursuant to this section shall be operated only when necessary to provide power to senior residential multiple dwellings in order to protect their general health and welfare which would be under substantial risk in a continued power outage.
c. The Board of Public Utilities shall develop and administer a program to provide grants and low-interest loans for the purpose of ensuring that existing senior residential multiple dwellings can comply with the provisions of subsection a. of this section.
d. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency shall provide guidance and financing assistance to qualified housing sponsors, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the "Senior and Disabled Cooperative Housing Finance Incentive Act," P.L.1998, c.128 (C.55:14K-72 et seq.), for the purpose of ensuring that existing senior residential multiple dwellings can comply with the provisions of subsection a. of this section.
e. For purposes of this section, (1) "multiple dwelling" means a building or structure meeting the definition of "multiple dwelling" as defined under subsection (k) of section 3 of the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law," P.L.1967, c.76 (C.55:13A-1 et seq.); (2) "qualified housing sponsor" means a qualified housing sponsor as defined in section 3 of P.L.1998, c.128 (C.55:14K-74); and (3) "senior" means a person 62 years of age or older.
2. The Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Board of Public Utilities, shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) in order to effectuate the purposes of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill creates a standard under the State Uniform Construction Code for existing or newly-constructed residential multiple dwellings in which at least 90 percent of the units are, or will be, occupied by seniors, requiring such multiple dwellings or complexes to be equipped with a standby emergency power generator. Seniors are defined under the bill as persons age 62 or older. This population is at greater risk of health complications or death in conditions of power outages.
Under the bill, a standby emergency power generator must have a minimum run capacity of 14 consecutive days, a load capacity capable of sustaining a general heating system for the multiple dwelling, and basic electrical necessities in each unit. Also, the bill directs that the standby emergency power generator comport with the regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection concerning air pollution, be tested regularly, and operated only when necessary in case of an emergency in order to protect the general health and welfare of the multiple dwelling residents which would otherwise be under substantial risk in a continued power outage.
The sponsor of this bill envisions potential sources of funding for purposes of retrofitting existing senior residential multiple dwellings to come from, among other sources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA"), the Board of Public Utilities, and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.
