New Jersey Statutes Title 48. Public Utilities 48 § 2-29.44

a. During periods of excessive heat, the health of individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and others can be severely compromised if those individuals do not have adequate ventilation or air conditioning;

b. Each summer, some at-risk individuals die from dehydration during periods of sustained heat, and others have had their health severely compromised; and

c. In view of the severity of the impact of sustained heat on the physical well-being of at-risk individuals, it is the public policy of this State to ensure that these individuals, their financial circumstances notwithstanding, are not deprived of electrical power during periods when the amelioration of the effects of high heat and humidity is essential to their health and welfare.

The Legislature therefore determines that it is necessary for the Board of Public Utilities to develop and administer a program that ensures that the individuals most at risk will not experience an interruption in their electrical supply as a result of the suspension of service by an electric public utility.