52:27F-18. Periodic reports by energy industries; rules and regulations; analysis by commissioner; report; disclosure of information; hearings

a. The commissioner shall adopt rules and regulations requiring the periodic reporting by energy industries of energy information which shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) Electrical generating capacity in the State; long-range plans for additions to said capacity; efficiency of electrical generation; price and cost factors in electrical generation; types and quantities of fuels used; projections of future demand, consumption of electricity by sectors; times, duration, and levels of peak demand;

(2) Petroleum refining capacity; amount and type of fuel produced; amount and type of fuel sold; interstate transfers of fuel; price and cost factors in refining, production, and sale; long-term plans for alterations or additions to refining capacity; location, amount, and type of fuel storage;

(3) Storage capacity for gases; amount and end uses of gases sold; price and cost factors in the sale and use of gases; and

(4) Such other information as the commissioner may determine necessary for carrying out the purposes of this act.

b. The commissioner shall at least annually publish a report analyzing all energy information collected.

c. The commissioner shall have the discretion to obtain energy information from an affiliate of any energy industry or from an association or organization of industries of which any such energy industry is a member. Whenever energy information supplied by an energy industry is so obtained by the commissioner, the energy industry to which such information pertains shall be promptly notified of the energy information so obtained and shall be given an opportunity to correct or amplify such information.

d. Trade secrets collected under this section shall be exempt from the requirements of P.L.1963, c. 73 (C. 47:1A-1 et seq.). The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct of administrative hearings on the issue of whether certain energy information should not be disclosed to the public.

L.1977, c. 146, s. 16, eff. July 11, 1977.