SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 762

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 4, 2020

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 762 with committee amendments. 

      This bill, as amended by the committee, would establish in the Board of Public Utilities the New Jersey Fuel Cell Task Force. The purpose of the task force would 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;

      (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 15 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 are to 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. 

      The committee amendments to the bill would:

      (1)  provide that the task force is established in the Board of Public Utilities, rather than the Department of Environmental Protection;

      (2)  provide that the task force is composed of 15 members, rather than 13 members;

      (3)  provide that, of the two newly added task force members, one would represent local government and have expertise in municipal land use matters, and one would have expertise in retail fuel sales and distribution; and

      (4)  make technical changes to the bill. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported and amended by the committee, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed. 

As amended and reported by the committee, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No.741, which was also reported by the committee.