The Assembly has passed A-4791, which would establish a “Resiliency and Environmental System Investment Charge Program.” The program would allow water and wastewater utilities to recover, outside of their rates, the cost of investment in certain non-revenue producing utility system components that enhance water and wastewater system resiliency, environmental compliance, safety, and public health.
While investment in these components is necessary and wise, utilities would be allowed to recover these costs outside of strict oversight from the Board of Public Utilities and Rate Counsel.
This will undoubtedly lead to increased water and wastewater bills for those municipalities that are serviced by water or wastewater utilities. For these reasons, the League opposes this legislation.
The Senate version of the bill, S-3184, has made its way to committee and could be posted for a vote as early as Monday, December 11. The League encourages its members to reach out to their State Senators and urge them to oppose this costly measure.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.