SENATE, No. 1898

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 10, 1997

By Senator LaROSSA

An Act appropriating $2,380,000 from the Petroleum Overcharge Reimbursement Fund to the Department of Community Affairs.

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

    1. There is appropriated, from the "Petroleum Overcharge Reimbursement Fund," created pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1987, c.231 (C.52:18A-209), the sum of $2,380,000 to the Department of Community Affairs to be used for the retrofitting or replacement of heating systems or other energy-related conservation measures as warranted, for low-income households. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall administer the distribution of these monies.

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill appropriates the expected current balance in the Petroleum Overcharge Reimbursement Fund to the Department of Community Affairs to be used for the retrofitting or replacement of heating systems or other energy-related conservation measures for low-income households. The intended use of these funds will be consistent with previous uses of such funds, and is more cost-effective than merely paying for energy consumption bills. These funds will be especially helpful in light of recent reductions in funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Appropriates $2,380,000 from Petroleum Overcharge Reimbursement Fund to Department of Community Affairs.