Miller Bill to Increase Production of Energy in NJ Signed into Law

TRENTON – The Senate passed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Miller, which would require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to conduct a study to evaluate the potential deployment of advanced transmission technologies by electric public utilities. 

The bill, S-4676, would define “advanced transmission technology” to mean software or hardware that increases the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility. This may include grid-enhancing technologies, advanced or high-performance conductors, or other technologies designed to reduce transmission congestion or increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility. 

The BPU would study how the deployment of ATT would enable utilities to safely, reliably, efficiently, and cost-effectively meet electric system demand and provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to customers. 

The bill would require the BPU to give notice of a public stakeholder meeting and invite interested parties and members of the public to discuss the study required by the bill. The BPU would hold a minimum of two public meetings to review comments from stakeholders. The BPU would be able to incorporate any information or comments received from the public stakeholder meetings in its report required by the bill. 

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the BPU would submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature, detailing the findings of the study. The BPU would also publish the report on its website.