Bill Text: NJ SCR108 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges construction of microgrids at municipal facilities in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-12-18 - Substituted by ACR151 [SCR108 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SCR108-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges construction of microgrids at municipal facilities in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A concurrent Resolution urging the construction of microgrids at municipal facilities in this State.
Whereas, In October of 2012, Superstorm Sandy left many locations in this State, including public facilities, without electricity for up to several weeks; and
Whereas, The power outages following Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey's residents and businesses; and
Whereas, Microgrids are small, interconnected electrical networks using on-site power generation to operate in conjunction with or independent of the larger electric grid and provide electricity during power outages; and
Whereas, Facilities powered by microgrids can help provide shelter and a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of a natural disaster that results in power outages; and
Whereas, While the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has created an energy resilience bank that operates under federal qualification criteria for the financing of microgrids, non-qualifying municipalities in this State lack the necessary funds to construct microgrids on their own; and
Whereas, As of 2015, there has not been a single municipality that has completed the construction of a microgrid; and
Whereas, Microgrids are a key component of this State's plan to promote energy resiliency; and
Whereas, The construction of microgrids at municipal facilities is necessary to provide shelter for and ensure the safety of the residents of this State in the event that a future natural disaster results in power outages; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for the Legislature, and in public interest, to support the expansion of microgrid construction in this State by urging the BPU and the EDA to support the establishment of microgrids at municipal facilities in order to achieve energy resilience; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly Concurring):
1. The Legislature respectfully urges the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to facilitate the construction of microgrids at municipal facilities in this State in order to achieve energy resilience.
2. Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioners
of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and the Executive Team and Board
Members of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the construction of microgrids at municipal facilities in this State.
In October of 2012, Superstorm Sandy left many locations in this State, including public facilities, without electricity for up to several weeks. The power outages following Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey's residents and businesses.
Microgrids are small, interconnected electrical networks using on-site power generation to operate in conjunction with or independent of the larger electric grid and provide electricity during power outages. Facilities powered by microgrids can help provide shelter and a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of a natural disaster that results in power outages.
While the New Jersey Economic Development Authority has created an energy resilience bank that operates under federal qualification criteria for the financing of microgrids, non-qualifying municipalities in this State lack the necessary funds to construct microgrids on their own. As of 2015, there has not been a single municipality that has completed the construction of a microgrid.
The construction of microgrids at municipal facilities is necessary to provide shelter for and ensure the safety of the residents of this State in the event that a future natural disaster results in power outages.