NJ S3847

Electric public utilities must submit emergency response plans to the Board of Public Utilities requiring them to train and certify municipal emergency management coordinators and designated public works employees to move and secure disconnected, above-ground distribution lines blocking vehicular traffic during major outages.

Utilities must provide trained municipal employees with necessary equipment and real-time, two-way communication capability to coordinate with the utility until lines are professionally reattached.

Electric utilities must fully indemnify and, upon request, defend municipalities and their designated employees against any claims for injuries or damages arising from their handling of downed distribution lines.

Municipalities must be reimbursed at no less than half the hourly wage rate of designated employees, or at federal volunteer service rates for volunteer employees, for time spent moving and protecting distribution lines.

A "major emergency event" triggering these requirements includes natural or human-caused events resulting in service interruptions to at least 5% of customers in an operating area, municipality, or county, or a declared state of emergency.