Board of Public Utilities approves utility settlements, opens agrivoltaics pilot and directs tariff filings

Trenton — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Tuesday adopted a series of settlements, provisional rates and program actions that will advance utility infrastructure upgrades, adjust certain customer charges and open a new dual‑use (“agrivoltaics”) solar pilot.

Board staff told commissioners the items included a two‑part action on Rescom Energy LLC (doing business as NextVolt/NextVault): staff recommended adopting a stipulation resolving an alleged failure to timely renew a third‑party supplier license and conditioned approval of Rescom's initial supplier license on timely receipt of a $15,000 settlement payment. "Staff recommends the board accept the stipulation subject to the conditions set forth in the board order," said Alice, board staff, summarizing the agreement. The board approved both motions by roll call.

The board also approved a $1.05 billion gas‑system modernization stipulation for Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) to replace a minimum of 525 miles of cast‑iron and unprotected steel mains from January 2026 through December 2028 and to pursue additional investment and periodic rate recovery mechanisms. Staff estimated the program could add about $4.32 per month to the average residential bill by the end of the program (about a 4.2% monthly increase). "This is really to enhance and to upgrade our reliability and to improve safety for our systems," a commissioner said during discussion; commissioners voted to adopt the stipulation.

Separately, the board approved stipulations and provisional filings for multiple utilities: Atlantic City Electric (including a base‑rate settlement with a net revenue requirement of $54 million and a typical resident increase of $6.77 per month, and separate provisional conservation incentive rates that would reduce a typical bill by $1.01 per month), Elizabethtown Gas (infrastructure and provisional CIP filings producing modest monthly bill changes), South Jersey Gas (infrastructure and BGSS/CIP provisional filings with estimated small bill decreases), and Aqua New Jersey (a RESIC surcharge capped at a maximum that would translate to about $1.42 per month for a typical residential customer). The board directed affected utilities to file revised tariffs by the deadlines specified in staff recommendations.

The board approved directive and compliance items for JCP&L to reconcile and refund overcharges tied to an incorrect tax gross‑up factor (refunds above $25 to be issued directly; amounts under $25 to be donated to an energy‑related nonprofit), and it authorized an amended CSG agreement between PSE&G and Eagle Point Power Generation LLC for a 10‑year term.

On programmatic matters, the board authorized release of an RFQ to procure statewide evaluation services (an EM&V suite) to support energy‑efficiency and peak‑demand reduction programs, approved Direct Install (DI) program tariffs to enable public contracting units to participate, and approved a no‑cost six‑month transition extension for the current EV program administrator to ensure continuity during transition to a newly awarded contractor. The board also approved, following executive‑session discussion, the evaluation committee's recommendation related to procurement for EV program administration.

In a policy move, staff presented and the board approved adoption notices and proposed substantial changes to rules governing agrivoltaics (dual‑use solar). Staff recommended opening the first application period for the dual‑use pilot with an adjusted capacity target of 65 megawatts and an application fee of $1,000 per megawatt (waivable for demonstrated hardship). The board voted separately to approve the notice of adoption and the notice of proposed substantial changes, and then voted to open the application period.

The board also agreed to terms in a FERC‑related settlement for Bridal Atlantic Offshore Development (Mayard), which includes a base ROE of 9.88% and related rate‑recovery provisions for transmission infrastructure; staff recommended and commissioners approved agreeing to the settlement terms.

All motions on the record were carried by roll call in favor unless noted. Many items were adopted by unanimous voice/roll call votes; staff will return with directed filings, tariff revisions or further procedural steps (for example, revised tariff filings, compliance letters, or transmission to the Office of Administrative Law) as specified in each board order.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Rescom Energy stipulation (pay $15,000): approved (roll call). - Rescom Energy initial license (contingent on payment): approved (roll call). - PSE&G GSMP 3 stipulation ($1.05B replacement program): approved (roll call). - Atlantic City Electric base‑rate stipulation (net revenue requirement $54M): approved (roll call). - JCP&L refund reconciliation and restitution direction: approved (roll call). - Agrivoltaics pilot: notice of adoption and proposed changes approved; first application period opened with 65 MW target and $1,000/MW fee (roll calls).

What happens next: utilities directed to file revised tariffs and compliance filings by the board‑specified deadlines; staff will monitor implementation, receive monthly reports where required (for example the PSE&G program) and, where applicable, transmit matters to the Office of Administrative Law for further procedures.