Stop Putting Offshore Wind Costs on Electricity Bills
Official: S1986 — Prohibits collecting of certain costs associated with offshore wind projects from ratepayers.
Reading: The bill prohibits ratepayers from bearing certain costs of offshore wind projects, which reduces the financial mechanisms available to fund and deploy offshore wind capacity.
The goal is to protect consumers from higher utility bills due to offshore wind development.
In clear language
This bill would prevent New Jersey utility companies from passing certain costs of offshore wind projects directly to customers through their electricity bills. Instead of ratepayers covering these expenses, the costs would need to be paid through other means. The goal is to protect consumers from higher utility bills due to offshore wind development.
How does this affect you?
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Who does this affect?
- New Jersey residents and businesses that pay electricity bills
- Utility companies operating in New Jersey
- Offshore wind energy developers and projects
- State taxpayers who may cover costs through other funding mechanisms
What can you do?
- Contact your state senator to share your views on how offshore wind costs should be funded
- Stay informed about utility bill changes and request itemized billing from your electric company
- Monitor the bill's progress through the Senate Environment and Energy Committee
Timeline
- 2026-01-13: Bill introduced in Senate
No New Jersey official has a verified action on this policy yet.
Related policies
- NJ LegislatureMay 7, 2026Local Control Over Offshore Wind Projects
This bill would reduce the special powers that the state's utilities agency (BPU) currently has to override local government decisions about offshore wind projects. Instead of the state being able to push through offshore wind development regardless of local concerns, towns and cities would have more say in whether these projects happen in their areas.
- NJ LegislatureMay 7, 2026Changes to Rules for Building Offshore Wind Projects in New Jersey
This bill would limit certain construction rights and property interests that developers currently have for offshore wind projects in New Jersey. It would also reduce the power that the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has to override local government decisions about offshore wind development. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Assembly committee that handles telecommunications and utilities.
- NJ LegislatureFeb 24, 2026Offshore Wind Money Set Aside for Lower Electric Bills
This bill requires companies running offshore wind projects to set aside money in an escrow account that will go to New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities. That money will then be used to help reduce electricity bills for regular residents. The goal is to make sure that New Jersey families benefit directly from the profits generated by offshore wind energy projects.
- NJ LegislatureJan 13, 2026Pause on Ocean Sonar Testing and Wind Turbine Mapping to Protect Marine Life
This bill calls for an immediate pause on sonar testing (underwater sound technology) and wind turbine mapping surveys off New Jersey's coast because of recent, unexplained deaths of marine animals in the area. The goal is to protect ocean life while the causes of these deaths are investigated. Supporters want to stop these activities until experts can determine whether they're harming sea creatures.