Bill Text: NJ S2804 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Requires BPU to conduct certain analysis and comparison study of electric transmission grid operating in New Jersey.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-11-05 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [S2804 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2020-S2804-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2804

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED AUGUST 10, 2020

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  BOB SMITH

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Senator  LINDA R. GREENSTEIN

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires BPU to conduct certain analysis and comparison study of electric transmission grid operating in New Jersey.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on August 17, 2020, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning an analysis and comparison study of the electric transmission grid operating within this State and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.

 

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

      1.   a.  The Board of Public Utilities shall conduct a study that analyzes and compares the potential costs and benefit impacts of:

      (1)  withdrawing from the regional, high-voltage electric transmission grid operated or managed by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., the independent system operator of that electric transmission grid, and establishing an electric transmission grid that would operate independently within the State;

      (2)  withdrawing from the regional, high-voltage electric transmission grid operated or managed by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. and joining an electric transmission grid that operates within the state of New York;

      (3)  remaining within the regional, high-voltage electric transmission grid operated or managed by PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.; ¹[and]¹

      (4)  any other electric transmission grid option that the board may consider to be in the best interest of ratepayers of the State ¹; and

      (5) utilizing the fixed resource requirement alternative to satisfy the State's resource adequacy needs and accelerate achievement of the State's clean energy goals¹.

      b.   Within one year after the date of enactment of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the board shall submit a written report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature concerning the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section.  In conducting the study, the board shall consider each option with regard to:

      (1)  the costs and benefit impacts to ratepayers, including residential and State and local government customers; and

      (2)  the costs and benefit impacts on renewable energy production, energy storage, and distributed electric generation in the State.

      With regard to the first two and the fourth options studied pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the board shall study the costs and benefit impacts on any necessary physical or structural changes to the electric transmission or distribution infrastructure or systems within this State and any necessary regulatory approvals needed for these physical or structural changes.

      c.   The written report shall:

      (1)  summarize the results of the analysis and comparisons

conducted pursuant to subsection a. of this section;

      (2)  discuss and quantify the potential costs and benefits associated with each option, pursuant to subsection a. of this section; and

      (3)  rank the options, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, from the most suitable and beneficial for the State to the least suitable and beneficial for the State.

     d.    In conducting the study required by subsection a. of this section, the board shall consult with stakeholders, including, but not limited to, electric power suppliers and electric public utilities, as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-51), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and public and private entities within and without the State that have conducted studies on the operation of, or otherwise concerning, electric transmission grids.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.