Bill > S4257

Introduced Session

This bill would require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to develop and implement a program to promote women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ)-owned energy businesses in the State. The bill would authorize the program to include public information campaigns, marketing, advertising, the provision of incentives, or other means and methods determined appropriate by the BPU. The bill would establish certain target percentages for the energy procured by businesses and public entities that utilize third-party energy suppliers, as enumerated in subsection b. of section 1 of the bill. These target percentages would culminate, in the fourth energy year after the program is established and thereafter, with the goal that 25 percent of the energy procured by businesses and public entities that utilize third-party energy suppliers be procured from a women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or LGBTQ-owned energy business. The bill would establish certain requirements for determining which businesses qualify for the program, and would direct the BPU to develop an application process for businesses that seek to participate in the program. Finally, the bill would require the BPU and electric and gas public utilities in the State to post a list of approved energy businesses on their websites, and it would require the BPU to track the success of the program in meeting the targets established by the bill and post updates on its website.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Andrew Zwicker (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 12/28/2023)

Official Document