Bill Text: NJ S184 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Establishes pilot program within Office of Emergency Management to provide zero-interest loans to certain gas stations that install appropriate wiring for generators.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-12 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S184 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S184-Amended.html
SENATE, No. 184
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes pilot program within Office of Emergency Management to provide zero-interest loans to certain gas stations that install appropriate wiring for generators.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on March 12, 2015, with amendments.
An Act establishing a pilot program within the Office of Emergency Management to provide zero-interest loans to certain motor fuel retail dealers.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy made landfall in New Jersey, causing historic flooding, widespread power outages and wind damage, becoming one of the worst weather-related disasters in the history of the State of New Jersey.
b. The devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy has drawn attention to the importance of emergency response preparedness and its role in effectively evacuating citizens during a natural disaster.
c. Interstate highways as well as municipal and county roads designated by the State Office of Emergency Management as potential evacuation routes for coastal emergencies are critical to the safe and orderly evacuation of New Jersey's residents from areas of the State that are adversely impacted or may be adversely impacted by floods, high winds, storm surges and other severe weather conditions.
d. The maintenance of electrical power at motor fuel retail outlets on or within one-half mile of evacuation routes is essential for the safe and orderly evacuation of residents in advance of, or immediately after, severe weather conditions.
2. For the purposes of this act:
"Alternative power generation device" means a device capable of providing electrical power for the primary purpose of dispensing motor fuel 1[,] and operating1 payment acceptance equipment, pump shutoff switches, and other safety equipment.
"Evacuation route" means the Atlantic City Expressway, the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike, and any interstate highway, or municipal or county road that has been designated by the State Office of Emergency Management as a potential evacuation route for coastal emergencies, including but not limited to, approaching tropical storms or hurricanes.
"Motor fuel" means any combustible liquid or gaseous substance used, or suitable, for the generation of power to propel motor vehicles.
"Pilot program" means the "Motor Fuel Retail Dealer Generator Installation Pilot Program" established pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
"Power outage" means any failure in the supply of electricity causing a temporary cessation in the supply of power.
"Qualified installation project" means the installation of transfer switches and other equipment necessary to operate all fuel pumps, dispensing equipment, 1[lifesafety] life-safety1 systems, and 1[payment-acceptance] payment acceptance1 equipment using an alternative power generation device.
"Retail dealer" means a person that engages in the business of selling or dispensing motor fuel to consumers within this State.
3. a. There is established a two-year "Motor Fuel Retail Dealer Generator Installation Pilot Program" in the State Office of Emergency Management. The purpose of the program shall be to provide zero-interest loans for the amount paid by a retail dealer for a qualified installation project.
b. Under the pilot program, any retail dealer located on or within one-half mile of an evacuation route may be eligible to participate in the pilot program for the purpose of receiving a 1[low-interest] zero- interest1 loan established under subsection d. of this section.
c. The Office of Emergency Management shall develop specifications concerning the installation, use, and safety of a qualified installation project which shall support the use of an alternative power generation device during the course of a power outage. The specifications developed by the office shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that the retail dealer shall be located on or within one-half mile of an evacuation route approved by the office.
d. In implementing the "Motor Fuel Retail Dealer 1[Installation]1 Generator 1Installation1 Pilot Program," the office shall establish and administer a program to provide zero-interest loans to an eligible retail dealer for the cost of a qualified installation project. The loans issued under the pilot program shall bear zero interest and shall be for a term of not more than 10 years. The maximum amount for any single loan shall be $10,000. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of P.L.2004, c.48 (C.52:17C-19), the source of funding for the loans shall be from the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account."
e. The Director of the State Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety, in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), may adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of this act.
4. At the conclusion of the "Motor Fuel Retail Dealer Generator Installation Pilot Program," the Director of the Office of Emergency Management shall submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1). The report shall include information on the effectiveness of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the number of retail dealers that are participating in the program, the loan amount granted for each individual project, and a recommendation on the feasibility of implementing the initiative on a Statewide basis.
5. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment and shall expire on the first day of the 25th month following the effective date of this act, but the Director of the State Office of Emergency Management may take such anticipatory administrative action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.
