Bill > A5736

This bill updates the "Energy Bill Watch" program requirements for electric and gas public utilities that use smart meters (electronic devices that record utility usage data and transmit it wirelessly). The bill mandates that utilities establish a program to notify smart meter customers about their energy usage and costs twice during each billing cycle - specifically during the weeks of the 10th and 20th days. Customers can choose to receive these notifications via text message or email, which will include the dollar cost of their usage and the amount of electricity or gas consumed. The bill also requires utilities to provide additional optional features, such as setting a usage threshold for automatic notifications and receiving comparisons of current usage with previous billing cycles. Utilities must advertise the program through multiple channels like social media, websites, and customer bills, automatically enroll all smart meter customers, and notify customers about the program's availability and opt-out options. If customers do not specify a notification preference, the utility will default to sending notifications via email. The goal of these provisions is to help customers better understand and manage their energy consumption and costs.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5736