NJ
New Jersey Senate Bill S1802

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S1802

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

Impact

The implementation of S1802 is set to enhance the level of transparency concerning public utilities’ financial operations, as it requires these companies to disclose their capital spending justifications. This move aims to provide stakeholders, including consumers and advocacy groups, with insights into how their service rates are influenced by utility capital expenditures. By making this information publicly accessible, the bill seeks to empower consumers and foster informed feedback during rate increase submissions.

Summary

Senate Bill S1802, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, mandates that public utilities must submit a report detailing their capital investments when they petition the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for an increase in base rates. This report should be formatted and presented as determined by the BPU and is intended to assess the level of revenues necessary for the public utility to achieve a fair rate of return on its investments. Once the BPU receives this report, it will have 30 days to review its contents before posting it on its website, with provisions for the removal of any confidential information deemed proprietary.

Contention

There have been discussions around the balance between transparency and the protection of confidential business information. Critics may argue that the requirement to disclose capital investment details could expose sensitive financial data that could be exploited by competitors. Proponents, on the other hand, insist that greater transparency is essential for holding public utilities accountable, ensuring that rate increases are justified and in line with actual capital investments. The potential for conflicting views on what constitutes confidential information adds an element of contention to the bill's implementation.

Companion Bills

NJ A3499

Same As Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

NJ A3307

Carry Over Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3499

Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

NJ A3307

Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

NJ S994

Requires BPU to conduct study of effect of coronavirus 2019 pandemic on local and public utility service and to quarterly collect and publish certain local and public utility service and customer information.

NJ A3329

Requires BPU to conduct study of effect of coronavirus 2019 pandemic on local and public utility service and to quarterly collect and publish certain local and public utility service and customer information.

NJ A1778

Requires BPU to conduct biennial rate cases for public utilities; increases penalties for public utilities failing to comply with BPU orders.

NJ S2128

Exempts local utilities from certain reporting requirements.

NJ A190

Exempts local utilities from certain reporting requirements.

NJ S89

Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.

NJ S597

Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.

NJ A272

Requires public utilities to provide customers notice of request for increase in rates; revises requirements related to hearings on proposed rate increases.

Similar Bills

KS HB2527

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KS SB455

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TX SB1856

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NJ A5553

Requires BPU to establish best practices and to assess electric public utilities' compliance with BPU best practices during BPU's review of rate increase.

NJ S4414

Requires BPU to establish best practices and to assess electric public utilities' compliance with BPU best practices during BPU's review of rate increase.

IN SB0009

Energy utilities.

NJ A3499

Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.

NJ A3307

Requires BPU to post on its website report from public utility on public utility's capital investments in response to petition from public utility to increase rates.