SENATE, No. 762

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  VIN GOPAL

District 11 (Monmouth)

Senator  JOSEPH A. LAGANA

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Turner

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes NJ Fuel Cell Task Force to increase use of fuel cells in State.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

  


An Act establishing the New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

 

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

 

     1.    a.  There is established in the Department of Environmental Protection the New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force.  The purpose of the task force shall be to develop a plan to increase the use of fuel cells in the State and to provide information, education, and resources for that purpose.  The task force shall:

     (1) serve as a resource to State departments and local governments on fuel cell issues;

     (2) assist in the growth of fuel cell businesses in the State;

     (3) increase the use of fuel cells throughout State government departments and agencies;

     (4) develop a strategy for the development of infrastructure to support the use of fuel cells; and

     (5) provide information and educational materials to the public, government, and industry about the use and benefits of fuel cells.

In conducting its duties, the task force shall consult with the United States Department of Energy and any fuel cell organizations that may exist in other states.   

     b.    The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows:

     (1)   The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the President of the Board of Public Utilities, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who shall serve ex officio, or their respective designees; and

     (2)   the following public members, appointed by the Governor:

     (a)   one member representing a fuel cell advocacy group in the State;

     (b) one member representing fuel cell manufacturers;

     (c)   one member representing suppliers of hydrogen for fuel cells;

     (d)   one member representing fuel cell vehicle manufacturers;

     (e) two members of the academic community with expertise in fuel cells;

     (f)  one member representing a manufacturer of stationary fuel cells; and

     (g) one member with expertise in fuel cell powered material handling equipment. 

     c.     All appointments to the task force shall be made no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.  Each member shall serve for four years or until a successor is appointed, and vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be eligible for reimbursement for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purposes.

     d.    The task force shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its public members and shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members, as well as a secretary who need not be a member of the task force.  A majority of the membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of task force business.  The task force may meet and hold hearings at the place or places the task force designates.

     The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide staff support to the task force.  The task force shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as the task force may require and as may be available to the task force for its purposes.

     e.     No later than one year after its organization, and annually thereafter, the task force shall prepare and submit to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature, a report detailing the task force's plan to increase the use of fuel cells in the State, including any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that are necessary to effectuate the plan. 

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would establish in the Department of Environmental Protection the New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force.  The purpose of the task force will be to develop a plan to increase the use of fuel cells in the State and to provide information, education, and resources for that purpose.  In addition to developing the plan, the task force would:

     (1) serve as a resource to State departments and local governments on fuel cell issues;

     (2) assist in the growth of fuel cell businesses in the State;

     (3) increase the use of fuel cells throughout State government departments and agencies;

     (4) develop a strategy for the development of infrastructure to support the use of fuel cells; and

     (5) provide informational materials and education to the public, government, and industry about the use and benefits of fuel cells. 

     The task force would consist of 13 members including the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the President of the Board of Public Utilities, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Commissioner of Community Affairs, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who would serve ex officio, or their respective designees, and public members to be appointed by the Governor who would represent stakeholders and experts. 

     No later than one year after its organization, and annually thereafter, the task force would prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature, a report detailing the task force's plan to increase the use of fuel cells in the State, including any recommendations for legislative or regulatory action that are necessary to effectuate the plan.