Asm. Robert Karabinchak
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Clean Firm Energy Reliability Act directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to establish a program for procuring new electricity generation facilities that produce zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emissions and can operate continuously. The bill creates a "Clean Firm Development Fund" financed by a non-bypassable charge on all electric utility customers, which provides financial support to developers who successfully negotiate terms with the Board. To participate, entities must submit detailed expressions of interest, including licensing plans for nuclear projects, and receive provisional qualification based on their potential to improve state energy reliability and provide long-term benefits to ratepayers. Approved projects are subject to specific conditions, such as paying prevailing wages, utilizing a project labor agreement, and ensuring that at least 15 percent of construction labor hours are performed by apprentices.