New Jersey state Assembly member Harold Wirths, a Republican, introduced legislation on Oct. 15 that would require the board of public utilities to establish mechanisms for electric suppliers and utilities to procure energy storage as part of their distribution and transmission system planning process. The legislation would require the board adopt rules and regulations that facilitate increased integration of energy to the utility grid, enhance grid reliability, reduce the need for additional generation during peak demand periods, and defer investments. The bill would allow energy service providers to file proposals for up to 15 megawatts of energy storage, and would exempt existing systems from the new provisions. (A 4525)