Bill > A1072

This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), a state agency that oversees utility services, to establish a "distributed capacity program" aimed at developing 500 megawatts of battery storage capacity across the state by 2030, with the goal of improving grid reliability, speeding up connections to the electricity system, and lowering overall costs. The BPU will set minimum requirements for this program, which electric public utilities, companies that provide electricity, will be responsible for implementing. These requirements will cover aspects like how much storage each utility must develop, the size of storage systems, how they integrate with other energy management programs, how utilities select developers, and importantly, will include enhanced incentives for storage located in "overburdened communities" (areas disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and health issues) and redevelopment zones, ensuring that low-income customers and those in overburdened communities benefit. Electric public utilities will need to submit detailed plans to the BPU for approval, outlining their implementation strategy and how they will use battery storage and other distributed energy resources, with the BPU reviewing these plans and potentially requesting changes before approving them, considering the impact on customer bills and aiming for cost savings. Furthermore, utilities must submit annual reports to demonstrate compliance with their approved plans and program goals, and failure to meet these metrics, such as reducing peak demand or achieving cost savings, could result in the disallowance of cost recovery from ratepayers, unless the failure is due to unavoidable circumstances. The BPU is also mandated to adopt necessary rules and regulations to put this act into effect.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1072