Bill Text: NJ S1280 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs the BPU to determine whether the electric power generation service market in this State is competitive and to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-30 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [S1280 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-S1280-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Directs the BPU to determine whether the electric power generation service market in this State is competitive and to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning electric power generation service.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act," ("EDECA") P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.), was enacted to provide for benefits to the residents of this State from the de-regulation of the State's electric power generation service market.
b. Public interest and consumer groups in this State maintain that the enactment of EDECA has not reduced the high cost of electric power generation service for customers, has not increased customer choice and has not increased the reliability and safety of the electric power transmission and distribution networks in this State.
c. In order to ensure that the health, welfare and prosperity of the State's residents is protected, it is necessary to direct the Board of Public Utilities ("board") to undertake a study of the impact of EDECA on consumers in this State, and to report back to the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations concerning any steps needed to ensure that an adequate and reliable supply of electric generation service at reasonable prices is available to meet this State's current and future energy needs.
2. Pursuant to the authority granted to the board under P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.) to monitor and evaluate the experiment of de-regulation of the electric generation service market in this State, the board is directed to initiate administrative proceedings to determine whether or not the goals of EDECA, as set forth in section 2 of P.L. 1999, c.23 (C.48:3-50), have been achieved including, but not limited to, the creation of a competitive market for electric power generation service in this State.
3. a. If the board determines that the de-regulation of the electric generation service market in this State has not created a competitive market or has not led to the attainment of other goals set forth in section 2 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-50), the board shall evaluate the feasibility of re-regulating the electric power generation service market as a means to ensure that an adequate and reliable supply of electric power generation service at reasonable prices is available to meet the current and future energy needs of this State's residents.
b. The board shall, within 18 months of the effective date of this act, submit a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, reviewing the implementation of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.), including its impact on electric utility customers and its impact on the operation of the market for electric power generation service, with particular emphasis on an assessment of the competitiveness of such market, and making such recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action as the board determines is necessary to lower the high cost of electric power generation service, provide for increased customer choice, enhance the safety and reliability of the electric power networks in this State, and achieve the other goals and purposes of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.).
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire on the 60th day following submission of the board's report to the Governor and the Legislature as required under section 3 hereof.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Board of Public Utilities ("board") to initiate administrative proceedings to determine whether or not the goals of the "Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act," ("EDECA") P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.) including, but not limited to, the creation of a competitive market for electric power generation service in this State, have been attained.
The bill further directs the board to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, within 18 months following the effective date of the bill, if the board determines that the electric power generation service market is not competitive or that other goals of EDECA have not been achieved. The report shall contain such recommendations for appropriate legislative or administrative action as the board determines is necessary to ensure that an adequate and reliable supply of reasonably priced electric power generation service is available to the residents of this State, and to achieve the other goals and purposes of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.).
