SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4676

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 11, 2025

      The Senate Economic Growth Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 4676.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (board) to study the potential deployment of advanced transmission technologies (ATT) by electric public utilities in the State.  In conducting the study, the board is to:  (1) evaluate the attributes, functions, costs, and benefits of ATT, considering certain factors outlined in the bill; (2) evaluate the potential of each ATT to enable an electric public utility to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to its customers, considering existing and planned transmission infrastructure and projected demand growth; (3) evaluate the potential of each of the advanced transmission technologies studied for deployment by a utility to identify and mitigate grid congestion in order to maximize the cost-effectiveness of delivery of energy resources in the near term; (4) identify potential reductions in an electric public utility’s transmission project costs and transmission project completion timelines by deploying ATT, as compared to traditional transmission infrastructure; (5) identify potential ways to streamline the deployment of ATT; (6) evaluate policies and laws in other states that have deregulated energy sectors, which polices and laws concern ATT, and provide recommendations, taking into consideration such policies and laws, to enable and encourage the adoption of ATT in this State; (7) identify processes or ways that an end-use customer can invest in and deploy ATT in partnership with their respective electric public utility to allow for the more rapid deployment of ATT; (8) identify how the board can support and encourage the implementation of ATT in New Jersey; and (9) evaluate any other aspect of ATT that the board determines will assist policymakers, electric public utilities, electric public utility customers, and other stakeholders in understanding the potential role of ATT in the transmission system serving this State and the region. 

     While conducting the study, the board is required to give notice of a public stakeholder meeting and invite interested parties and members of the public to discuss the study.  The board is to hold at least two public stakeholder meetings to review comments from stakeholders.

     In addition, the bill requires the board, within one year after the bill’s date of enactment, to submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature with the findings of its study.  The board is to publish the report on its Internet website. 

     Under the bill, “advanced transmission technology” means any software or hardware technology that increases the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility, including:  (1) grid enhancing technology; (2) advanced or high-performance conductors; and (3) other technology designed to reduce transmission congestion or increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or safety of an existing or new electric transmission facility.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to: 

      (1) define “advanced or high-performance conductor,” “advanced power flow control technology,” “advanced reconductoring,” “dynamic line rating,” “grid enhancing technology,” and “topology organization”;

      (2) modify certain factors outlined in the bill that the board is required to consider when evaluating the attributes, functions, costs, and benefits of ATT;

      (3) require the board to consider, when evaluating the attributes, functions, costs, and benefits of ATT, whether ATT reduces the risk of igniting wildfires and increases flexibility to reduce risks surrounding technology and permitting uncertainties in Statewide electrical system planning and to improve optionality for load-serving entities;

      (4) require the board to evaluate the potential of each of the ATTs studied for deployment by a utility to identify and mitigate grid congestion locations and to maximize the cost-effectiveness of delivery of energy resources in the near term;

      (5) require the board to issue recommendations to enable and encourage ATT adoption in the State after considering ATT policies and laws in other states, rather than issuing such recommendations in alignment with such policies and laws in other states; and

      (6) make technical corrections.