ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1478

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 12, 2025

      The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1478. 

      As reported, this bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to solicit and approve an application for the implementation of one pilot wave and tidal energy project.  Under the bill, data associated with this project is to be used to prepare a comprehensive study and written report concerning the use of wave and tidal energy. 

      Within 12 months after the completion of the pilot project, the BPU and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are to conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of using wave and tidal energy as forms of clean energy in the State.  In this study, the BPU and DEP are to evaluate certain factors related to the increased use of wave and tidal energy in the State, as outlined in the bill. 

      In addition, within 15 months after the completion of the pilot project, the President of the BPU and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection are to submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature identifying the findings of the comprehensive study and providing recommendations for legislative, executive, and other actions that can be taken to promote the development of wave and tidal energy technologies, infrastructure, and facilities in the State.  The report is to include, in part, a strategic plan for the deployment of wave and tidal energy technologies, infrastructure, and facilities in the State.  The strategic plan is to identify, at a minimum, specific wave energy generation goals, tidal energy generation goals, or both, in megawatts, that the State should endeavor to meet by 2030, 2040, and 2050 to ensure the timely and effective deployment of wave and tidal energy technologies and the sufficient incorporation of wave and tidal energy into the State’s energy portfolio.  Based on the recommendations of this report, the BPU is to undertake certain additional actions to promote the development of the wave and tidal energy sector. 

      The bill also requires the Energy Master Plan Committee to incorporate information into the Energy Master Plan regarding the wave and tidal energy strategic plan developed under the bill and, to the extent practicable, the wave and tidal energy generation goals recommended by the strategic plan. 

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.