ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 483

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 20, 1997

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 483 with committee amendments.  The bill, as amended, provides for the promotion of the use of alternative fuels by directing the appropriate State agencies to adopt regulations facilitating the distribution of alternative fuels in the State and requiring the appropriate State agencies to report to the Legislature concerning their progress with instituting an alternative fuel distribution system for alternative fuel vehicles.

      The bill, as amended, would require the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection and other appropriate State agencies, to adopt regulations facilitating transportation of alternative fuels. The bill authorizes the State acquistion, lease or gift of the property, equipment and vehicles necessary to implement the fuel distribution system required for the use of alternative fuels. The bill also requires the Department of Environmental Protection, within 18 months of the date of enactment of the legislation and in consultation with the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Treasury, and any other appropriate State agencies, to prepare and submit a progress report concerning the implementation of the legislation. The report would include recommendations on the progress of instituting a fuel distribution system for alternative fuel vehicles in the State and any recommendations for legislative or administrative action that the department deems appropriate.

      The committee amendments make technical corrections to the bill and clarifying changes to the definitions used in the bill and remove the provisions requiring the Department of Community Affairs to adopt rules and regulations, as part of the State Uniform Construction Code, concerning the construction of alternative fuel refueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles. The committee amendments also remove the provisions establishing requirements concerning the purchase and use of alternative fuel vehicles by State and local government units and agencies. These provisions have been addressed through the implementation of recently adopted federal laws and State regulations. The committee amendments also deleted the provision exempting the sale of natural gas and electricity and any other alternative fuels from public utility taxes imposed pursuant to P.L.1940, c.5 (C.54:30A-49 et seq.) if the fuel is separately metered for use as a motor vehicle fuel.           Finally, the committee amendments authorize the Department of the Treasury to enter into agreements with any federal , county, or municipal agency, or private entity to permit the use of any State alternative fuel or motor fuel station with reimbursement for the cost of using the station.