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Assembly committee advances bill to promote building electrification after heated debate over costs and authority
Summary
The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee amended and released A4844, which directs the BPU to establish a beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program; testimony split between environmental groups citing consumer savings and industry voices warning of grid strain, high retrofit costs and potential delegation of authority to the executive branch.
The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee voted to amend and release Assembly Bill 48 44 on a party‑line and mixed‑vote roll call after more than two hours of testimony and debate over whether the bill would accelerate electrification while protecting ratepayers.
A4844, as amended in committee, directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires electric and gas public utilities and state administrators that participate to submit plans and greenhouse‑gas reduction targets. Committee amendments delayed the program start from one year to two, expanded the statutory definition to “beneficial building electrification and decarbonization,” required…
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