Respectfully urges Congress to pass "Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act" to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.

SJR148

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 148

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 1, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� CARMEN F. AMATO, JR.

District 9 (Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Respectfully urges Congress to pass �Guarding
Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act� to repeal certain federal
standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
respectfully urging Congress to
pass the �Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act.�

Whereas,

In recent years, New Jersey has prioritized the adoption of clean energy
programs and policies, most notably through the enactment of the �Clean Energy
Act� in 2018; and

Whereas,

The prioritization of clean energy required electric public utilities to
upgrade their infrastructure to participate in and comply with the
State-mandated clean energy programs; and

Whereas,

The costs of implementing the State�s clean energy programs, and particularly
the electric vehicle programs and related infrastructure upgrades, are often passed
through to New Jersey ratepayers through the distribution component of their
electric public utility bills, known as the delivery charge; and

Whereas,

New Jersey residents are facing rising utility bills, with delivery charges and
increased electricity demand related to the growing number of electric vehicles
contributing to these rising costs; and

Whereas,

At the federal level, in response to rising energy costs, United States
Congressman Jefferson Van Drew introduced a package of bills aimed at
protecting ratepayers, including the �Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV
Charging Directives Act� (GRID Act); and

Whereas,

The GRID Act calls for the repeal of federal standards tied to electric vehicle
charging programs that are currently funded through certain delivery charges;
and

Whereas,

Specifically, the GRID Act would repeal provisions of the �Public Utility
Regulatory Policies Act of 1978� (16 U.S.C. s.2601 et seq.) that concern
electric vehicle charging programs to prevent the costs of electric vehicle
charging infrastructure upgrades from being passed through to residential
ratepayers; and

Whereas,

Enacting the GRID Act is a first step in providing relief to New Jersey
ratepayers from rising electric public utility costs; now, therefore,

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

���� 1.��� The Legislature of the
State of New Jersey respectfully urges Congress to pass the �Guarding
Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives Act.�

���� 2.��� Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority
and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority
Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of
Congress elected from this State.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution respectfully
urges Congress to pass the �Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging
Directives Act� (GRID Act) to repeal certain federal standards tied to electric
vehicle charging programs.

���� In recent years, New Jersey
has prioritized the adoption of clean energy programs and policies, most
notably through the enactment of the �Clean Energy Act� in 2018.� The
prioritization of clean energy required electric public utilities to upgrade
their infrastructure to participate in and comply with the State-mandated clean
energy programs.� The costs of implementing the State�s clean energy programs,
and particularly the electric vehicle programs, are often passed through to New
Jersey ratepayers through the distribution component of electric public utility
bills, known as the delivery charge.� New Jersey residents are facing rising
utility bills, with delivery charges and the increased electricity demand
related to the growing number of electric vehicles contributing to these rising
costs.

���� At the federal level, in
response to rising energy costs, United States Congressman Jefferson Van Drew
introduced a package of bills aimed at protecting ratepayers, including the
GRID Act.� The GRID Act would repeal provisions of the federal �Public Utility
Regulatory Policies Act of 1978� concerning electric vehicle charging programs
to prevent the costs of electric vehicle charging infrastructure upgrades from
being passed through to residential ratepayers.� Enacting the GRID Act is a
first step in providing relief to New Jersey ratepayers from rising electric
public utility costs.