TRENTON – The Senate Economic Growth Committee held legislation that addresses what a state senator says is a problem involving placement of natural gas pressure regulators in downtown business districts.
The bill, S1846, would require utility companies to conduct an analysis of alternative locations for new regulators and make that analysis public.
“We just want to understand if you’re going to make this kind of change that will greatly impact the downtown, … that you should explain why this is the only option,” said Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-11), Red Bank, the bill’s sponsor. In Red Bank, the issue is the relocation of underground regulators to above-ground locations that will have an effect on the business district.
“Why is this the only option that can be considered in the case of Red Bank?” Beck asked, saying other downtowns in the state have underground regulators.
The bill was amended so that in non-emergencies the utility will have a public hearing to seek local support although local approval would not be mandatory. In the case of emergencies, the bill was amended to make it clear the utility could go ahead and correct any problems.
The committee unanimously released S2046/A2125 with no discussion. The bill would eliminate the requirement for cable television companies to provide advanced notification of price decreases.
