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Bill > S3229
NJ S3229
NJ S3229Requires certain electric public utilities to file emergency response plan with BPU.
summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish a set of standards for emergency preparation and restoration of service after an outage that every investor-owned electric public utility (utility) in the State is required to follow. The standards are intended to serve as a minimum set of best practices that every utility in the State is required to follow regarding power outages. The bill provides that a utility that fails to meet these standards is to be fined $10,000 per violation, per day. The total amount of the fine is limited to $1 million for a series of related events. The board can investigate a violation on its own initiative or upon request from the Governor, county commissioners affected by an outage, or a municipality affected by an outage. The bill also requires every utility to file an emergency response plan with the board. This plan is to serve as an official plan of action for each utility in the event of a major power outage and is required to include certain information outlined in the bill. If a utility fails to file an emergency response plan, the board can fine the utility $1,000 per day until a plan is filed. If the board investigates a utility after an outage and finds that the utility failed to follow its emergency response plan, the board is directed to impose a fine that reflects the severity of the damage caused by failing to follow the plan. Any fines imposed by the board under this bill are to be placed in a non-lapsing account administered by the board. Monies in the account are to be distributed as grant funds to municipalities affected by power outages for maintenance costs along rights of way near utility infrastructure, such as the cost of tree trimming near power lines or removing hazards that could potentially cause a future outage.
AI Summary
This bill requires investor-owned electric public utilities in New Jersey to adhere to minimum standards for emergency preparation and service restoration, established by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which is the state agency overseeing utilities. Utilities that fail to meet these standards can be fined up to $10,000 per day per violation, with a maximum of $1 million for related incidents, and these investigations can be initiated by the BPU, the Governor, or affected local governments. Furthermore, each utility must annually submit an emergency response plan to the BPU detailing how they will restore service after major outages, including information on responsible staff, customer communication, medical needs, local official coordination, employee safety, crew deployment, and necessary supplies and equipment; failure to file this plan can result in a $1,000 daily fine until it is submitted. If a utility's failure to follow its approved emergency response plan leads to significantly longer outages, the BPU can impose additional fines based on the severity of the damage. All fines collected will be placed in a special fund administered by the BPU and used to provide grants to municipalities for maintaining public areas near utility infrastructure, such as tree trimming and hazard removal, to prevent future outages.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 02/02/2026)
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/2026/S3229 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3229_I1.HTM |
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