Requires at least one member of BPU to reside in either Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would directly influence the appointment process of the BPU members, which is crucial for overseeing utility regulations and operations within New Jersey. It would ensure that residents from these coastal counties have a representative voice on the board, which could lead to more localized decision-making and potentially address regional issues that may not have been adequately represented under the previous regulations.
Summary
S933 is a bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature that seeks to amend the criteria for membership on the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Specifically, the bill requires that at least one member of the BPU must reside in one of the following counties: Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean. This amendment is aimed at ensuring that the board is representative of the specific regional interests in these areas, which may have unique concerns regarding public utilities and services.
Contention
The introduction of S933 could raise discussions around the balance of representation versus expertise in the BPU appointments. Opponents may argue that residency requirements could limit the pool of qualified candidates who might not live in the specified counties but possess significant experience in public utility matters. Proponents, however, may contend that local residency will bolster accountability and responsiveness to community-specific concerns, fostering stronger governance of public utility services.
Extends limit for nonpublic school busing to 30 miles in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren Counties, and requires existing bus stops to be used.
Extends limit for nonpublic school busing to 30 miles in Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren Counties, and requires existing bus stops to be used.
Requires study of ocean energy potential; directs BPU to establish wave and tidal energy generation goals and take other action to establish NJ as nationwide leader in ocean energy.