Bill
Bill > A5949
NJ A5949
NJ A5949Requires owners or operators of certain solar energy facilities to inspect facility's infrastructure for presence of remote-access devices.
summary
Introduced
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
In Committee
07/24/2025
07/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would require the owner or operator of each solar energy facility one megawatt or larger in size to inspect the power inverters and other relevant infrastructure at the facility for the presence of remote-access devices, which could allow the operation of the solar energy facility to be disrupted by an unauthorized person. The inspections would be required to be conducted within six months after the bill's enactment. The bill would also prohibit the operation of new solar energy facilities one megawatt or larger in size unless the facility has been similarly inspected. The sponsor's intent in introducing the bill is to respond to reports that rogue communication devices not listed in product documents have been found in some solar power inverters by U.S experts who strip down equipment hooked up to grids to check for security issues. The devices could potentially allow domestic terrorists or hostile nations to destabilize power grids or damage energy infrastructure.
AI Summary
This bill requires owners or operators of solar energy facilities that are one megawatt or larger to conduct comprehensive infrastructure inspections within six months of the bill's enactment. Specifically, these inspections must focus on identifying and removing remote-access devices in power inverters and other critical infrastructure that could potentially allow unauthorized individuals to disrupt the facility's operations. The bill mandates that any components found to have such vulnerabilities must be replaced with secure alternatives, and new solar facilities over one megawatt cannot begin operations without first undergoing this inspection process. The legislation aims to address cybersecurity concerns raised by experts who have discovered undocumented communication devices in solar equipment that could potentially be exploited by domestic terrorists or hostile nations to destabilize power grids. The Board of Public Utilities is authorized to develop regulations to implement these requirements, ensuring a standardized approach to solar facility security inspections across the state.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 07/24/2025)
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/A5949 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5949_I1.HTM |
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