Bill
Bill > A664
NJ A664
NJ A664"The Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act of 2020"; requires public utilities to file certain information concerning emergency preparedness with BPU and increases certain penalties.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill, known as "The Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act of 2020," requires the Board of Public Utilities ("BPU") to develop and enforce performance benchmarks for service reliability and communications for electric public utilities and requires electric public utilities to submit to the BPU a review of strategies to mitigate flooding of substations within flood zones. In addition, the bill requires all public utilities conducting business in the State to file a service reliability plan and an emergency communications strategic plan for review and approval by the BPU. After review of a public utility's service reliability plan and communications plan, in either or both, the BPU may order the public utility to make such modifications as it deems reasonably necessary to remedy any deficiency. This bill reaffirms the BPU's authority to open an investigation to review the performance or communications of a public utility during a disruption of service in the public utility's service area. If the BPU finds that, as a result of the failure of a public utility to implement its service reliability plan or communications plan, the public utility's performance was materially less effective, the BPU may impose a civil administrative penalty. This bill amends existing law to increase the civil penalties paid by all public utilities for violating any law, rule, regulation, or order by the BPU. Civil penalties will be increased from $100 a day to $25,000 for each violation, but penalties are not to exceed $2,000,000 for any series of related events. The "Board of Public Utilities Civil Penalty Fund" will be established in the BPU, into which all penalties collected will be deposited. The money in the fund will be used to increase public utilities' service quality and reliability. Civil penalties will not be recoverable from ratepayers.
AI Summary
This bill, known as "The Reliability, Preparedness, and Storm Response Act of 2020," mandates that public utilities, including electric companies, must submit detailed plans to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for review and approval. These plans include strategies for service reliability, emergency communications, and for electric utilities, measures to mitigate flooding of substations in flood zones. The BPU will establish performance benchmarks for service reliability and communications for electric utilities and can require modifications to utility plans if deficiencies are found. The bill also empowers the BPU to investigate utility performance during service disruptions and impose significant civil administrative penalties, increased from $100 to $25,000 per violation (not exceeding $2,000,000 for related events), if a utility fails to implement its approved plans, leading to materially worse service or communication. These penalties will be deposited into a newly established "Board of Public Utilities Civil Penalty Fund" to improve utility service quality and reliability, and importantly, these penalties cannot be passed on to customers (ratepayers).
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/A664 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/664_I1.HTM |
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