Bill Text: NJ A168 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs DOT, in consultation with other State entities, to study and report on certain solar and wind energy installations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [A168 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A168-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RALPH R. CAPUTO
District 28 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Directs DOT, in consultation with other State entities, to study and report on certain solar and wind energy installations.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act directing the New Jersey Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, to study and report on certain solar and wind energy installations.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, shall conduct a study and prepare and submit, within twelve months of the effective date of this act, to the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, or the respective successor committees, as appropriate, a written report which shall make findings and recommendations concerning solar and wind energy installations in New Jersey, examining the potential for, and feasibility of, solar and wind energy installations on State highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway. The report shall examine and make recommendations concerning the financial implications of constructing and maintaining solar and wind energy installations and the projected financial savings to the State, including a discussion of the potential use of net metering; the environmental implications of constructing and maintaining solar and wind energy installations and the projected energy savings; an examination of property values, land use, community impact, and planning and development factors related to solar and wind energy installation sites; the availability of federal funds; proposed legislative and regulatory action; and any other information relevant to the subject matter of this report.
If the department determines that it is feasible to construct and maintain solar and wind energy installations, it shall prepare and include in the report a detailed action plan which shall, at a minimum, include a series of steps necessary for the installation and implementation of solar and wind energy facilities on State highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway in keeping with the findings and recommendations set forth in the report; the State entities and other organizations involved in and responsible for the implementation of solar and wind energy installations in this State; proposed investment in solar and wind energy installations; and a preliminary time frame for implementation of the steps enumerated in the action plan as necessary for the implementation of solar and wind energy installations in New Jersey.
2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on the 30th day after the department submits its report as prescribed in section 1 of this act.
STATEMENT
This bill would direct the Department of Transportation ("the department"), in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, to conduct a study and prepare and submit, within twelve months of the effective date of this bill, to the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee, or the respective successor committees, a written report which shall make findings and recommendations concerning solar and wind energy installations in New Jersey, examining the potential for and feasibility of solar and wind energy installations on State highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway.
The report shall examine and make recommendations concerning the financial implications of constructing and maintaining solar and wind energy installations and the projected financial savings to the State, including a discussion of the potential use of net metering; the environmental implications of constructing and maintaining solar and wind energy installations and the projected energy savings; an examination of property values, land use, community impact, and planning and development factors related to solar and wind energy installation sites; the availability of federal funds; proposed legislative and regulatory action; and any other information relevant to the subject matter of this report.
If the department determines that it is feasible to construct and maintain solar and wind energy installations, it shall then prepare and include in the report a detailed action plan which shall, at a minimum, include a series of steps necessary for the installation and implementation of solar and wind energy facilities on State highways, the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and the Atlantic City Expressway in keeping with the findings and recommendations set forth in the report; the State entities and other organizations involved in and responsible for the implementation of solar and wind energy installations in this State; proposed investment in solar and wind energy installations; and a preliminary time frame for implementation of the steps enumerated in the action plan as necessary for the implementation of solar and wind energy installations in New Jersey.
