Bill Text: NJ S1272 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requires the incorporation of solar panels in design and construction of new public school facilities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-30 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [S1272 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2012-S1272-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 1272

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JANUARY 30, 2012

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires the incorporation of solar panels in design and construction of new public school facilities.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning the design and construction of new public schools and supplementing P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-1 et al.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The Commissioner of Education shall not approve an application for the construction of a new school facility pursuant to the provisions of section 5 of P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-5) unless the design and construction of the facility incorporates solar panels.  The provisions of this section shall be applicable to a new school facility constructed by a school district or by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill provides that the Commissioner of Education may not approve an application for the construction of a new school facility under the provisions of the "Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act," P.L.2000, c.72, unless the design and construction of the facility incorporates solar panels.  This requirement would be applicable to a new school facility constructed by either a school district or the New Jersey Schools Development Authority.

     Generating electricity through solar panels is good for the community and the environment.  The use of solar power means less consumption of fossil fuels, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from local power plants.  A solar power system can also reduce or eliminate a school building's electric bill.  Installing a solar power system is equivalent to prepaying for 40 years of power at a fraction of the current cost.  As energy rates increase this difference will only increase, leading to escalating savings for the school district over the life of the system.