Establishes Office of Clean Energy Equity in BPU; directs establishment of certain clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs for overburdened communities; makes change to community solar program.

The lead agency for clean energy workforce training changed from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to the Office of Clean Energy Equity, which will now collaborate with DLWD, NJEDA, the Commission on Science Innovation and Technology, and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to develop program guidelines rather than directly establishing a grant program.

The scope of workforce training programs was broadened from 'solar energy or clean energy' to 'energy efficiency or clean energy,' replacing solar-specific focus with a broader energy efficiency mandate.

Eligible recipients for workforce training grants expanded beyond community-based nonprofits, community colleges, and vocational-technical schools to also include 'other qualified training partners including union apprenticeship programs' that demonstrate commitment to overburdened communities, partnerships with nearby employers who will hire participants, and hiring from the local community.

Grant issuance was restructured: instead of DLWD directly providing grants, the Office of Clean Energy Equity will develop guidelines for grants issued by three separate agencies - the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Department of Education, and Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

An alternative deadline for converting the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program to a permanent program was removed. Previously, conversion was required no later than 36 months after rule adoption OR by the date the BPU adopted rules for a permanent SREC successor program, whichever came first. Now only the 36-month deadline remains.

The entire 'STATEMENT' section summarizing the bill's provisions was removed, which is standard when a bill advances from introduced status to committee report status.