Bill Text: NJ S2612 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires newly-constructed multiple dwellings with 25 or more residential units to install standby generators to provide electricity in case of emergency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-12-08 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S2612 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S2612-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Requires newly-constructed multiple dwellings with 25 or more residential units to install standby generators to provide electricity in case of emergency.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning standby generators in certain 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. A newly-constructed multiple dwelling with 25 or more residential units, and for which an application for a construction permit has not been declared complete by the enforcing agency before the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), shall be equipped with a standby emergency power generator with the ability to provide electricity to each individual unit in case of an emergency.
b. A standby emergency power generator required to be installed pursuant to this section shall be:
(1) Operated in compliance with requirements for such generators in accordance with regulations adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection;
(2) 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; and
(3) Operated only when necessary to provide power to residential multiple dwellings with 25 or more units in order to protect the general health, safety and welfare of the residents which would be under substantial risk in a continued power outage.
2. The Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, 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 newly-constructed multiple dwellings with 25 or more residential units, and for which an application for a construction permit has not been declared complete by the enforcing agency before the effective date of the bill, requiring such multiple dwellings to be equipped with a standby emergency power generator.
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, safety and welfare of the multiple dwelling residents which would otherwise be under substantial risk in a continued power outage.
