Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands eligibility for state agency reviews and increases income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain state utility bill-payment assistance and energy efficiency programs in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Expands eligibility for state agency reviews and increases of income thresholds for residential customers to participate in certain state utility bill-payment assistance and energy efficiency programs in New Jersey (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Department of Community Affairs,  Department of Human Services, Board of Public Utilities (BPU), and any other State agency that administers a utility bill payment assistance program or energy efficiency program to, within one year of the bill’s effective date, complete a review of the program, as provided for in the bill, and increase the income threshold if the department, board, or agency determines an increase to be appropriate (Sec. 1).

• Requires that a State agency request public comment, in a form and manner determined by that State agency, or seek assistance from other State agencies, to determine an appropriate increase to the program’s income threshold (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if an increase in income thresholds for the State’s low-income energy efficiency programs is ordered, the BPU is required to assess if further guidance is necessary to change income thresholds in the utilities’ triennial energy efficiency and peak demand reduction programs for moderate-income energy efficiency programs to ensure that low- and moderate-income customers are eligible for only one energy efficiency assistance program and to expand access to moderate-income programs, if appropriate (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text