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Committee advances PJM‑transparency and transmission oversight bills; debate continues on RTO issues
Summary
The committee released A54 63 (requires utilities to report PJM voting to the BPU) and A54 65 (requires utilities to seek BPU certificates before major transmission projects). Both bills won committee approval; the record also included extended discussion of RTO membership and transmission planning.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee advanced two bills aimed at giving New Jersey regulators more oversight of electric system governance.
A54 63 would require electric public utilities to file annual reports with the Board of Public Utilities detailing how their representatives voted at PJM (the regional transmission organization). Supporters including Jay Weisbon of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and Katie Mettle of Advanced Energy United argued that PJM’s decision‑making has large effects on prices, interconnection timelines and which projects move forward, and that public reporting would improve accountability. "These votes determine how clean energy products move forward, how much you pay for electricity, and whether or not we're meeting our state climate goals," Weisbon said.
A54 65 would require electric public utilities to apply to the Board of Public Utilities for a certificate of public convenience and necessity before undertaking transmission projects. Brian Littman, director of Rate Counsel, said the requirement would give the state a chance to ensure transmission investments are least‑cost and built where needed.
Committee members moved both measures: A54 63 passed with recorded votes (the transcript shows at least one 'no' vote by Assemblyman Simonson), and A54 65 was released in a separate vote. Several transmission and utility stakeholders asked for further stakeholder engagement on related proposals that affect RTO participation and transmission planning.
The committee left other RTO‑membership and transmission bills in discussion only, encouraging sponsors and stakeholders to reconcile differences before further votes.
