New Jersey § 48:3-54

§ 48:3-54.

a. An electric public utility may continue to offer customer account services on a

regulated basis subsequent to the effective date of this act. Not later than three months after the starting date for the implementation of retail

choice for any public utility as determined by the board pursuant to subsection a.

of section 5 of this act, the board shall initiate a formal proceeding to investigate

the manner and mechanics by which customers are afforded the opportunity to contract

with the incumbent utility or an electric power supplier for customer account services

and to establish the necessary standards for safety, reliability and testing for meters

and information exchange protocols applicable to both electric power suppliers and

incumbent utilities that will permit customers to choose a supplier for some or all

such customer account services. The board shall issue an order for providing customers the opportunity to choose

a supplier for some or all customer account services not later than one year from

the starting date of retail competition as provided for in subsection a. of section

5 of this act and setting forth the manner, mechanics and standards for competitive

customer account services. The board shall require that electric public utilities, in the continued regulated

provision of customer account services, not take actions that would unreasonably impede

a transition to a competitive customer account service market. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, an electric power

supplier may, upon written consent from a customer, bill the customer directly for

generation services and other services it provides to the customer as of the starting

date for implementation of retail choice. The board shall ensure that the standards and protocols for electronic data exchange

needed to support this option are adopted and are implemented by electric public utilities

in a timely manner. b. A gas public utility may continue to offer customer account services on a regulated

basis subsequent to the effective date of this act. Not later than three months after the starting date for the implementation of retail

choice established pursuant to section 10 of this act, the board shall initiate a

formal proceeding to investigate the manner and mechanics by which customers are afforded

the opportunity to contract with by the incumbent utility or gas supplier and to establish

the necessary standards for safety, reliability and testing for meters and information

exchange protocols applicable to both gas suppliers and incumbent utilities that will

permit customers to choose a supplier for some or all such customer account services. The board shall issue an order for providing customers the opportunity to choose

a supplier for some or all customer account services not later than December 31, 2000

and setting forth the manner, mechanics and standards for competitive customer account

services. The board shall require that gas public utilities, in the continued regulated provision

of customer account services, not take actions which would unreasonably impede a transition

to a competitive customer account service market. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary, a gas supplier

may, upon written consent from a customer, bill the customer directly for gas supply

service and other services it provides to the customer on and after the first billing

which comports with the provisions of section 10 of this act pertaining to the provision

of basic gas supply service. The board shall ensure that the standards and protocols for electronic data exchange

needed to support this option are adopted and are implemented by gas public utilities

in a timely manner. c. Notwithstanding any provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968,

c. 410 ( C.52:14B-1 et seq. ) to the contrary, the board shall initiate a proceeding and shall adopt, after notice,

provision of the opportunity for comment, and public hearing, interim technical standards

to ensure the safety, reliability and accuracy of metering equipment provided to electric

or gas customers and to establish protocols for the exchange of information related

to the provision of customer account services.