Bill > A5656

Introduced Session

This bill would establish the Office of the Energy Generation Ombudsman in the Department of the Treasury. The purpose of the Office of the Energy Generation Ombudsman would be to: serve as a resource to provide informational and support services to energy producers in the State regarding rules and regulations governing energy generation, provide dispute resolution services between State agencies and applicants of energy generation permits, and develop best practices for the permitting of energy generation throughout the State. Under the bill, the duties of the Energy Generation Ombudsman would include, but not be limited to: (1) serving as a source of information and assistance for energy producers in the State to navigate local, State, and federal laws and regulations governing energy generation; (2) providing advice and assistance on the process of obtaining and renewing permits of any kind relating to energy generation; (3) acting as a liaison between the permitting offices for State agencies and local government units; (4) overseeing State agencies to ensure prioritization of energy generation projects; (5) gathering information from energy producers and prospective energy producers on impediments to energy generation in the State; (6) identifying patterns of complaints that emerge regarding the permitting processes related to energy generation facilities; (7) assisting the Department of the Treasury in developing and disseminating information to acquaint and educate energy producers and prospective energy producers about the services offered by the Office of Energy Generation Ombudsman; and (8) serving as a resource for energy generation-related information and referral to other available programs and services for energy producers and prospective energy producers in the State. This bill would require State agencies to prioritize the review and approval process for permits and other authorizations for projects that would result in an increased amount of electric energy produced and made available to the electricity transmission and distribution system in the State. The bill would apply broadly to any approval or permit granted by a State agency, and would explicitly include a variety of environmental permits and permits issued by the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to the State's Uniform Construction Code. Additionally, the bill would require the Office of Energy Generation Ombudsman to make an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that would include a summary of the services the ombudsman provided during the year, recommendations on changes to the existing laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, and initiatives of the Department of the Treasury, Department of Environmental Protection, Board of Public Utilities, and any other department or agency of State government or any local organization, as appropriate, that concern energy generation that will promote energy efficiency projects or that will promote the expansion of energy generation Statewide, and any other specific recommendations the ombudsman deems appropriate and necessary.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 05/08/2025)

Official Document