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Bill > A5650
NJ A5650
NJ A5650Requires BPU to publish third-party energy supplier information on its Internet website; establishes public awareness campaign on retail choice.
summary
Introduced
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
In Committee
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to examine the Internet websites of public utility regulatory bodies in other states with deregulated energy sectors to determine which state has the most helpful and user-friendly information for electric public utility customers and gas public utility customers looking to exercise their right to retail choice. No later than 90 days after making this determination, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the board is to publish information on its Internet website concerning electric power suppliers and gas suppliers that do business in the State, which information is required to: (1) be modeled off the information published on the website of the state selected by the board under the bill; (2) educate the public in plain language on the benefits of exercising retail choice through an electric power supplier or gas supplier; and (3) be published in a user-friendly manner. In addition, the bill requires the board to establish a public awareness campaign to educate electric public utility and gas public utility customers on: (1) the benefits of exercising retail choice; and (2) how to utilize the information pertaining to electric power suppliers and gas suppliers, as updated pursuant to the bill's provisions, on the board's Internet website. In New Jersey, since the enactment of the "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act" in 1999, electric public utility and gas public utility customers have had the ability to exercise retail choice by selecting their own electric power supplier or gas supplier. However, according to the board's Internet website, as of February 2025, only 6.2 percent of the State's residential electric public utility customers and 2.5 percent of the State's residential gas public utility customers obtain their energy supply through an electric power supplier or gas supplier. With this bill, the sponsor intends to better educate the public on its right to exercise retail choice.
AI Summary
This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to enhance transparency and awareness around retail energy choice, which allows consumers to select their own electricity or gas supplier instead of using their default utility provider. The bill mandates that the BPU first research public utility websites from other deregulated states to identify the most user-friendly model, and then publish comprehensive information about electric power and gas suppliers on its own website within 90 days, updating this information quarterly. The published information must be presented in plain language, explain the benefits of retail choice, and be easily accessible to consumers. Additionally, the BPU must launch a public awareness campaign to educate utility customers about retail choice and how to use the new website resources. This effort aims to address the currently low participation rates in retail choice, where only 6.2% of residential electric customers and 2.5% of residential gas customers have switched suppliers since the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act was passed in 1999. The bill seeks to empower consumers by providing clear, comprehensive information about their energy supply options.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 05/08/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5650 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5650_I1.HTM |
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