New Jersey Assembly Bill A1639

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires electric distribution lines be located underground in areas affected by severe weather or natural disasters.

Impact

If enacted, A1639 would require the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish standards for the placement of electric distribution lines in areas affected by major catastrophic events. It stipulates that all new installations or repairs in these regions must be underground where feasible. This change will significantly alter the regulatory landscape for public utilities in New Jersey, compelling them to adapt their infrastructure planning and engineering practices to comply with the new underground placement requirements.

Summary

Bill A1639 aims to improve the resilience of New Jersey's electrical infrastructure by mandating that electric distribution lines be placed underground in areas that have experienced severe weather or natural disasters. The bill is proposed in light of increasing occurrences of catastrophic events such as hurricanes, floods, and snowstorms, which have historically resulted in significant outages and disruptions in utility services. By relocating these lines underground, the bill seeks to mitigate the impact of such events on the power supply to residents and businesses, ensuring a more reliable delivery of electricity during emergencies.

Contention

The bill has sparked discussions around the costs and logistics associated with undergrounding electric lines. Proponents argue that the long-term benefits of increased reliability and reduced outage periods justify the investment, while critics raise concerns about the potential increase in construction costs and ground disturbance associated with underground installations. They also question the feasibility of such measures in densely populated or urban areas where infrastructure is already complicated. Additionally, the effectiveness of underground lines in extreme weather has been debated as further studies are called for to look into best practices and expected outcomes.