Bill Text: NJ A773 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs DOT to study and report on implementation of truck stop electrification systems to reduce truck idling and fuel usage.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A773 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A773-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BRIAN E. RUMPF
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
Assemblywoman DIANNE C. GOVE
District 9 (Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Directs DOT to study and report on implementation of truck stop electrification systems to reduce truck idling and fuel usage.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act directing the Department of Transportation to study and report on the implementation of truck stop electrification systems.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, shall, within one year after the date of enactment of this act, conduct a study and prepare and submit, to the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Chair of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works, and Independent Authorities Committee, as appropriate, a written report which shall make findings and recommendations concerning the implementation of truck stop electrification systems in the State.
The report shall identify highway rest stops in the State where truck stop electrification systems can be installed to reduce idling, fuel usage, and diesel emissions at truck stops, and report these findings. The report shall also include a proposal and plan for the State to establish at least one truck stop electrification system in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. The Department of Transportation may also consult with any private entities who are interested in installing a truck stop electrification system or have already installed such a system.
b. Upon completion of the report, the Department of Transportation shall apply for any available federal grants or other funds for the purposes of establishing truck stop electrification systems. Upon receipt of any federal grants or other funds, or any State funds made available for the purpose, the Department of Transportation shall install a truck stop electrification system in each of the three regions of the State, pursuant to the plan established in the report.
c. As used in this section, "electrification system" means a stand-alone system that supplies heavy duty vehicles with electrical needs, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, without modification of the vehicle.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the Department of Transportation (DOT), in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, within one year after the date of enactment of this bill into law, to conduct a study and report the findings and recommendations concerning the implementation of truck stop electrification systems in the State.
The report would identify highway rest stops in the State where truck stop electrification systems can be installed to reduce idling, fuel usage, and diesel emissions at truck stops, and to report these findings. The report would include a proposal and plan for the State to establish at least one truck stop electrification system in each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State.
After completion of the report, the DOT would apply for any available funds, and upon receipt thereof, the DOT would install at least one truck stop electrification system in each of the three regions of the State, pursuant to the report.
As used in this bill, "electrification system" means a stand-alone system that supplies heavy duty vehicles with electrical needs, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, without modification of the vehicle.
Truck stop electrification systems protect air quality, promote energy efficiency, and create cooperative opportunities between State, federal, and local entities. Truck stop electrification systems can offer truckers many applications, such as heating, cooling, electrical plugs, wireless internet access, cable television hookups, and phone services, so that trucks do not have to remain idling, using fuel and emitting particulates and soot. The cost of using an electrification system is often cheaper to truckers than the cost of consuming fuel, especially with the increasing cost of diesel fuel.
