During his first news conference since returning from last week's Republican National Convention, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, at podium, stands with Robert M. Hanna, president of the N.J. Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in Trenton, N.J., Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. Christie on Wednesday proposed legislation that would help protect utility customers from experiencing extended outages after storms, and would significantly increase fines if the utilities fail to deliver. The BPU has jurisdiction over the rates and facilities of electric, gas, water and wastewater, telephone and cable television companies and works to ensure that consumers have access to safe, reliable, and efficient services at reasonable costs. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)