Directs BPU to conduct study to determine whether microgrid and distributed energy resource deployment will reduce length of power outages.

A1032

ASSEMBLY, No. 1032

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Directs BPU to conduct study to determine whether
microgrid and distributed energy resource deployment will reduce length of
power outages.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative
Counsel.

��

An Act

directing the Board of Public Utilities to conduct a study to determine whether
microgrid and
distributed energy resource

deployment will reduce the length of power outages.

����
Be It Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:

���� 1.��� a.� The Board of Public
Utilities shall conduct a study concerning whether the utilization of
microgrids and the deployment of distributed energy resources will reduce the
length of long-term power outages in this State. The board�s study shall also
provide recommendations for improvements to the resilience and reliability of
the State�s electric distribution system.

���� b.��� In conducting the study,
the board shall:

���� (1)� compare the general
performance of the State�s electric distribution system to that of other
states;

���� (2)� assess the impact of the
utilization of microgrids and the deployment of distributed energy resources

on the
length of long-term power outages in other states;

���� (3)� consult with relevant
persons and public and private entities in this State and other states that
have utilized microgrids during power outages and provide information on best
practices for microgrid utilization as demonstrated in other states;

���� (4)� consult with relevant
electric public utilities in this State and other states that have deployed distributed
energy resources to communities during power outages;

���� (5)� consider the costs and
savings to ratepayers, government entities, electric public utilities, and the
State associated with the implementation of the findings and recommendations of
the written report submitted pursuant to subsection c. of this section; and

���� (6)� provide an assessment of
microgrid pilot programs established by the board, including, but not limited
to, awards provided under the Town Center Microgrid Feasibility Study Program.

���� c.��� Within nine months of
the effective date of this act, the board shall prepare and submit a written
report of the study�s findings and board�s recommendations to the Governor and,
pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.

���� d.��� For the purposes of this
act, �microgrid� means a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy
resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single
controllable entity with respect to the electric grid, which can connect and
disconnect from the electric grid to enable it to operate both connected to, or
independent of, the electric grid.

���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill directs the Board of
Public Utilities (BPU) to study and make findings and recommendations
concerning whether the utilization of �microgrids,� as that term is defined in
the bill, and the deployment of distributed energy resources will assist in
reducing the length of long-term power outages in the State. The BPU�s study is
to also provide recommendations for improvements to the resilience and
reliability of the State�s electric distribution system.

���� In conducting the study, the
bill provides that the BPU is to: 1) compare the general performance of this
State�s electric distribution system to that of other states; 2) assess the
impact of the utilization of microgrids and the deployment of distributed
energy resources on the length of long-term power outages in other states; 3)
consult with relevant persons and public and private entities in this State and
other states that have utilized microgrids during power outages and provide
information on best practices for microgrid utilization as demonstrated in
other states; 4) consult with relevant electric public utilities in this State
and other states that have deployed distributed energy resources to communities
during power outages; 5) consider the costs and savings to ratepayers,
government entities, electric public utilities, and the State associated with
the implementation of the BPU�s findings and recommendations; and 6) provide an
assessment of microgrid pilot programs awarded through the BPU, including, but
not limited to, awards provided under the Town Center Microgrid Feasibility
Studies program.

���� The bill requires the BPU to
prepare and submit the report containing its findings and recommendations to
the Governor and the Legislature within six months of the enactment of the
bill.