Bill Text: NJ S1846 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Concerns replacement of natural gas pressure regulators in downtown commercial districts.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-03 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [S1846 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S1846-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JENNIFER BECK
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns replacement of natural gas pressure regulators in downtown commercial districts.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning natural gas pressure regulators and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Board" means the Board of Public Utilities;
"Gas public utility" means a public utility, as that term is defined in R.S.48:2-13, that distributes natural gas to end users within this State; and
"Pressure regulator" means a device that monitors and controls the pressure of natural gas as it moves from the main supply line to an individual business or residence.
2. The board shall require a gas public utility, which intends to replace an existing pressure regulator in such a manner that impacts the infrastructure of a municipality's downtown commercial district, to (a) conduct an analysis of the feasibility of alternative locations for the new regulator and make the conclusions of that analysis and all data, evaluations, literature, and background information which formed the basis of that analysis, available to the public and (b), prior to replacing any such existing pressure regulator, obtain a resolution from the Governing Body of said municipality, specifically authorizing the manner in which the replacement is to be performed.
3. The board shall require a gas public utility that replaces an existing pressure regulator in a municipality's downtown commercial district to return the property within the district affected by such replacement to its previous condition, to the greatest extent feasible, upon the completion of the installation of a new pressure regulator.
4. The board shall authorize any gas public utility to recover the costs of replacing a pressure regulator in a municipality's downtown commercial district from its ratepayers.
5. The board shall study the types of pressure regulators available on the market and compare their costs, estimated lifespans, safety history, and the potential for each such regulator to be placed above or below ground. The board shall prepare a report of its findings, make that report available to the public through its website, and transmit a copy of that report to the Governor, and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature within 180 days of the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities ("BPU") to require that all gas public utilities which intend to replace an existing natural gas pressure regulator ("regulator") in such a manner that impacts the infrastructure of a municipality's downtown commercial district to (1) conduct an analysis of the feasibility of alternative locations for the new regulator and make the conclusions of that analysis, and all data, evaluations, literature and background information which formed the basis of that analysis, available to the public and (b), prior to replacing any such existing pressure regulator, obtain a resolution from the Governing Body of said municipality, specifically authorizing the manner in which the replacement is to be performed..
The bill also directs BPU to require all gas public utilities that replace a regulator in a municipality's downtown commercial district to return the property within the district affected by such replacement to its previous condition, to the greatest extent feasible, upon the completion of the installation of a new pressure regulator. Gas public utilities are authorized to recover the costs of such a replacement from their ratepayers.
Finally, the bill directs the BPU to study the available types of natural gas regulators, make a report of its findings available to the public through its website, and transmit a copy of that report to the Governor and the Legislature.
