Bill > S1426

Introduced Session

This bill requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to develop a request for proposal (RFP) to determine eligibility for the establishment of a demonstration program (program). Under the program, approved applicants would develop electric vehicle charging depots, serviced by one or more distributed energy resource charging centers (charging centers), which would be used to charge electric vehicles. Under the bill, the electric vehicle charging depots would be developed within six regionally diverse locations within the State, except that at least one depot is required to be developed within the service territory of each electric public utility operating in the State. However, the EDA may approve the development of more than one electric vehicle charging depot within any one service territory. The bill also requires the RFP to describe, in detail, the requirements for the provision of electric vehicle charging depots; however, at a minimum, each depot is required to be capable of supporting very high, coincident peak vehicle electric loads. The EDA would also be required to establish guidelines for the approval, designation, operation, reporting, and re-designation of the program. Under the bill, applicants intending to establish a program would be required to submit certain information to the EDA. The bill also requires the EDA to give preference to applications for a program that: (1) is located within a brownfield; (2) provides an environmental justice net public benefit within a low-income, urban, or environmental justice community; (3) provides job creation and job training for disadvantaged persons; or (4) results in an expansion of the State's manufacturing base for an emerging clean transportation economy, and demonstrates collaboration with a State-certified educational training entity. Upon approval by the EDA, the bill requires approved applicants to enter into agreements with the EDA, which agreements contain certain information set forth in the bill. Within six months after the first approval for an application for a demonstration program, and every six months thereafter, the EDA would be required to submit a report to the DEP and BPU concerning the progress made by approved applicants. The bill also requires the EDA to annually post information from these reports on its Internet website. Additionally, the bill requires the BPU to incorporate any applicable information from these reports in the State's Energy Master Plan. Five years after the effective date of the bill, the EDA would also be required to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the results of the establishment of the program. Under the bill, the EDA may seek and accept gifts, donations, grants, or loans from private or public sources, including, but not limited to, any federal funding provided for the purposes of the demonstration program. However, the EDA may not accept a gift, donation, grant, or loan that is subject to any conditions that are inconsistent with any other law of this State.

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Troy Singleton (D)*, 

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2023, c.316. (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document