New Jersey Assembly Bill A3179

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires electric public utility to identify communities within service territory where at least 40 percent of residential customers rely on private well water, develop service restoration plan for those communities, and provide watering stations.

Impact

The legislation is designed to impact existing state laws by providing specific guidelines for electric utilities on how to handle service interruptions that disproportionately affect communities relying on private wells. By establishing service restoration plans, the bill seeks to guarantee that these communities are treated with the same level of priority as other essential facilities during emergencies. This could potentially reduce the health and welfare risks associated with loss of power, particularly in areas where water access is dependent on electric pumps that cease functioning during outages.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3179 proposes that electric public utilities in New Jersey must identify communities where at least 40% of residential customers rely on private well water. This initiative addresses the critical need for these communities to have prioritized service restoration in times of major disruptions, ensuring access to essential resources such as water. The bill mandates the Board of Public Utilities to create rules and regulations that compel utilities to develop restoration plans tailored to these areas, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the infrastructure supporting these communities.

Contention

Discussions surrounding A3179 may focus on the balance between utility responsibilities and the expected service levels for rural communities. Critics might argue that placing such obligations on utilities could lead to increased operating costs, which might ultimately be passed on to customers. Supporters of the bill emphasize the necessity of prioritizing vulnerable communities that lack immediate access to alternative water sources, framing it as a fundamental public welfare issue. The bill highlights a growing acknowledgment of the needs of rural areas in emergency management and disaster response frameworks.