This bill mandates that electric public utilities in New Jersey pre-place repair equipment in areas prone to frequent power outages caused by high-risk events, such as severe weather conditions. Utilities are required to position this equipment 12 to 24 hours before such events to ensure timely restoration of electric service. Additionally, the bill stipulates that utilities must maintain and update this equipment to ensure its reliability during power restoration efforts. Utilities will work in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities to identify which service areas need this pre-placement of repair equipment.

Furthermore, the Board of Public Utilities is tasked with developing rules and regulations to guide utilities on the types of repair equipment to pre-place and the best practices for logistics and procedures related to this pre-placement. The bill defines high-risk events as occurrences likely to lead to power outages, including extreme weather phenomena like heat waves, thunderstorms, tornadoes, high winds, tropical cyclones, and winter storms. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.