Bill > A546

Introduced Session

This bill would require municipalities, public utilities, and the State to install a street light or, when an outage of a bulb occurs, replace a street light owned by the municipality, public utility or State with LED, or light-emitting diode, technology. Municipalities would be required to install or replace each street light as the municipal budget permits. Public utilities would recover the cost of installing or replacing these street lights through the societal benefits charge. Under the bill, a street light may only be installed or a bulb replaced if: (1) the street light being installed, or the replacement bulb, uses LED technology; (2) the minimum illuminance adequate for the intended purpose of the street light is used with consideration given to nationally recognized standards; (3) for lighting of a designated highway of the State highway system, the Department of Transportation determines that the purpose of the street light cannot be achieved by the installation of reflective road markers, lines, warning or informational signs, or other effective passive methods; and (4) full consideration has been given to energy conservation, reducing glare, minimizing light pollution, and preserving the natural night environment. Under the bill, municipalities, public utilities, and the State would not be required to install or replace a street light if: (1) the street light is used on a temporary basis because emergency personnel require it; (2) the street light is used on a temporary basis for nighttime work; (3) the street light is used for a special event or situation; (4) a compelling safety interest exists; (5) a federal law supersedes or is inconsistent with the bill; or (6) the street light is used on a historic property.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Clinton Calabrese (D)*,  Sterley Stanley (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document