Committee Releases Bills: Energy Penalties, Aviation Tax
Committee Releases Bills: Energy Penalties, Aviation Tax
The following bills were released from Committee on Thursday, October 18th:
Senate Economic Growth Committee:
Penalties for Violations S679 (Bateman) increases civil penalties for certain natural gas or hazardous liquid facility safety violations. The bill doubles the amount of money that a violator may be charged with for these violations.
“Given all the problems we’re seeing with natural gas like fires, explosions and property loss, we need to update the penalties. We support this bill as an incentive for these facilities to be safer and have less violations. Natural gas and hazardous liquids are dangerous to our communities and our environment. Polluters should have to pay, especially when it puts us at risk,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
Penalties for Energy Slamming A1683 (Dancer)/S1990 (Pou) increases penalties for energy “slamming” practices. This would prevent changing consumers’ electric power or gas supplier without their knowledge or consent. These unauthorized changes has led to higher utility bills for some people.
“This is important because it allows consumers to have a say in their energy supplier and for it not to be changed against their will. We’re concerned that someone could be signed up for green power but be unwillingly shifted elsewhere,” said Jeff Tittel.
Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee:
Aviation Tax S2892 (Sweeney)/A4392 (Burzichelli) eliminates certain aviation fuel tax exemptions to qualifying airlines; provides funding for public transportation to Newark Liberty International Airport and airport improvements.
“We support the tax and believe that it should be put to use for a proper mass transport system that brings travelers and workers to the airport. For example, the Port Authority could extend the Newark Light Rail to Penn Station. We should be promoting public transportation to benefit our citizens and reduce our impact on climate change. This should include a variety of transit projects that help a variety of different communities,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We support the tax going to transit projects that help people get to and from the airport.”
