The Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced legislation Monday that would require all new residential construction projects to have smart thermostats, which are thermostats with a wireless Internet connection that allow users to adjust temperature settings from a computer or smart device.
The bill (S-2556), sponsored by Sens. Bob Smith (D-Piscataway) and John McKeon (D-Madison), would require that applications for a construction permit for new residential construction to include provisions for the installation of a smart thermostat in each residential unit. Without this provision, the application would be deemed incomplete.
“Installing smart thermostats in all new residential buildings would improve energy efficiency, empowering residents to more effectively control a home’s temperature even when outside their home,” Smith said.
“In doing so, these thermostats reduce energy consumption and can save on energy costs.”
Hard to argue with that.
Then again …
Eric DeGesero, on behalf of the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey and NJ Propane Gas Association, objected to one part of the bill.
When smart thermostats are paired with smart meters, the utility would have the ability to lock residents out of their own thermostats.
Really?
While many would find this action baffling, and dare we say, unlikely, DeGesero offered an instance where such a thing happened in Colorado (see story here).
DeGesero, who otherwise was neutral on the bill, asked for an amendment prohibiting this type of action but was rebuffed — which many people also likely would find baffling.
“The sponsor refused to amend the bill to state that only the utility customer can control the thermostat setting,” he said in a statement. “What could be more intrusive than government controlling the temperature in your own home?”
DeGesero, perhaps with a bit of hyperbole, compared the effort to the state’s EV car mandates and building electrification. To be fair, that’s a stretch.
“The New Jersey Senate Environment Committee is now getting in on the act and passing its own anti-choice energy policies,” he said.
What does all of this mean? Where do we go from here?
That remains to be seen.
The bill still needs to be posted — and passed — to go into effect.
This much is clear: Any effort to make any changes involving energy use are sure to be heavily scrutinized.
Which is not necessarily a bad thing.
