Energy

passed · New Jersey · Senate May 28, 2026

S 3944: Authorizes renewable energy systems on preserved farmland to provide power or heat to adjacent properties, under certain conditions.

This bill allows owners of preserved farmland in New Jersey to install renewable energy systems like solar, wind, or biomass facilities on their property to generate power or heat. The systems can supply energy to the farm itself or to an adjacent property if that property is the primary residence of the farm's owner or operator. Key provisions require that the energy facilities do not significantly interfere with farming activities, are owned by the landowner, and are limited in size to either 10% above the farm's previous year's energy demand or one percent of the total farm area. Landowners must obtain approval from a designated committee before construction, and the committee must consider input from development easement holders within a 30-day window. The bill also mandates that no fees be charged for the review process and requires the creation of regulations to set standards for impervious cover and other environmental considerations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly authorizes renewable energy systems on farmland, promoting solar, wind, and biomass energy production.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 4061: Allows value of SREC-IIs to be included in cost-benefit calculations under energy savings improvement programs.

This bill allows school districts in New Jersey to count the value of SREC-IIs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) as part of the financial calculations when deciding whether energy-saving projects are cost-effective. It directly affects school boards and energy service companies that implement energy conservation programs in public schools. The key change permits these renewable energy credits to be included in cost-benefit analyses, potentially making it easier for districts to justify and fund energy efficiency improvements. The bill does not alter existing requirements for public bidding, prevailing wages, or contractor qualifications under current energy savings improvement programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allows school districts to count SREC-IIs in cost-benefit calculations, potentially increasing funding for energy-saving projects and promoting fiscal responsibility in public education.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables school districts to count solar renewable energy credits in cost-benefit calculations, facilitating funding for energy-saving projects in public schools and improving school infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill allows SREC-IIs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) to be counted in cost-benefit calculations for school energy projects, promoting renewable energy adoption and financial viability of solar initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables inclusion of Solar Renewable Energy Credits in cost-benefit calculations, promoting solar energy adoption and renewable energy use in schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 18, 2026

S 1757: 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.

S 1757 establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity within New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities to ensure equitable access to clean energy benefits for overburdened communities. The bill requires the BPU to create programs targeting 250,000 low-income households by 2030 (reducing their energy burden to under 6% of income) and deploy 1,600 megawatt-hours of energy storage in these communities by 2030, prioritizing community resilience hubs and microgrids. It mandates workforce development training, community outreach grants for local organizations, and requires at least 10% of annual clean energy funds ($50 million+ annually) to support these initiatives. The bill directly affects low-income households and overburdened communities by structuring new clean energy access, efficiency, and storage programs with measurable targets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes clean energy equity office, mandates programs for 250k low-income households by 2030, deploys energy storage - directly advances clean energy access and efficiency.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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signed · New Jersey · Senate Apr 8, 2026

S 3870: Modifies certain CAFRA permit review requirements for nuclear facilities.

This bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to address nuclear energy facilities. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to evaluate whether a nuclear facility's radioactive waste storage and disposal methods are safe, comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards, and do not endanger life or the environment. Currently, the commissioner only assesses waste disposal, but this change expands the review to include storage methods as well. The bill applies specifically to nuclear energy generation facilities operating in the state. No fiscal impact is expected from this legislative change.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill strengthens nuclear energy facility oversight by expanding permit review requirements to ensure safe radioactive waste storage and disposal, protecting energy infrastructure and public safety.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring DEP to evaluate nuclear facility waste storage safety and environmental impact under CAFRA, expanding regulatory oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 24, 2026

A 4529: Modifies certain requirements for transmission-scale energy storage procurement under BPU incentive program.

This bill modifies how New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities procures and incentivizes large-scale energy storage systems, primarily affecting developers and utilities seeking to build transmission-scale storage facilities. It establishes a two-phase program requiring projects to meet specific readiness milestones, such as completing interconnection studies with PJM or securing capacity rights, while setting a goal of awarding incentives for at least 1,000 MW of storage capacity by December 2026. The legislation also outlines application requirements, including proof of site control, permit acquisition plans, financial capability, and safety assurances, with a requirement that at least 350 MW be approved in the first phase by December 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes incentives for transmission-scale energy storage, advancing clean energy infrastructure and energy grid reliability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

S 3819: Modifies certain requirements for transmission-scale energy storage procurement under BPU incentive program.

This bill extends the deadline for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to approve incentive awards for transmission-scale energy storage projects from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026. It also broadens eligibility requirements for the second tranche of the program, allowing more projects to qualify for financial support. These changes aim to give the board more time to review applications and potentially include a larger pool of applicants without altering the size or duration of the existing 15-year incentive payments. The legislation primarily affects the Board of Public Utilities and energy storage project developers seeking state funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill extends deadline and broadens eligibility for energy storage procurement, promoting renewable energy infrastructure development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SR 85: Condemns EPA rule rescinding greenhouse gas endangerment finding and repealing greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles.

This Senate Resolution condemns a federal Environmental Protection Agency rule that removes greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and engines. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by formally opposing a decision that eliminates regulations designed to reduce air pollution from transportation. It argues that the EPA's action lacks scientific support and undermines efforts to address climate change impacts like sea-level rise and extreme weather. The resolution calls for maintaining existing standards under the Clean Air Act to protect public health and the environment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill opposes EPA rule removing greenhouse gas emission standards, supporting climate change mitigation and clean energy regulations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill condemns EPA rule removing greenhouse gas standards, explicitly supporting environmental protection and climate change mitigation95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill supports maintaining vehicle emission standards to reduce air pollution and address climate change impacts on transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SR 18: Urges states in PJM Interconnection region to require data centers to obtain electricity from new zero- or low-emission sources of energy.

SR 18 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging states within the PJM Interconnection region (including New Jersey and 12 other states plus D.C.) to require data centers to source electricity from new zero- or low-emission energy sources. It does not create new regulations but calls on state governments to adopt policies addressing data centers' growing energy demands, which currently consume about 4% of U.S. electricity and are projected to reach 9% by 2030. The resolution cites concerns about grid strain, noting data centers use 10-50x more energy than typical offices and could double demand by 2030. It emphasizes clean energy sources like solar and wind as scalable solutions to support grid reliability and climate goals.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly urges adoption of zero/low-emission energy sources for data centers, directly promoting renewable energy use and reducing fossil fuel dependence amid rising electricity demand.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUrges data centers to use zero/low-emission energy, reducing emissions from a sector consuming 4% of U.S. electricity (projected to reach 9% by 2030).95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill targets data centers (core tech infrastructure) to adopt sustainable energy, advancing responsible tech operations without restricting technology use.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 680: Requires energy usage plan for proposed artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities; requires all electricity for artificial intelligence data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities to be derived from new clean energy sources.

S 680 requires new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in New Jersey to use electricity exclusively from new renewable energy sources or newly constructed nuclear power. Applicants must submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities detailing how they will minimize energy use for cooling, optimize water sourcing, and improve building efficiency. The bill aims to prevent these facilities from increasing strain on the state's power grid and raising electricity costs for ratepayers. All electricity must be derived from new clean sources as measured hourly, with no net decrease in verifiable clean energy on the grid.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates new AI/cryptocurrency facilities use only new renewable energy or nuclear, promoting clean power adoption and preventing grid strain.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates new clean energy sources for AI/data centers, reducing grid strain and promoting renewable energy use per bill summary, aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 1815: Establishes solar energy grant program in BPU to provide grants to public schools for solar energy projects; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a $15 million solar energy grant program administered by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to help public schools and eligible educational institutions install solar projects. It provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs (including panels, installation, and permits) with no requirement for schools to contribute matching funds. Schools must report on energy savings and project use, and if a facility with a funded solar system is sold within 20 years, the new owner must reimburse the BPU a reduced percentage of the grant amount based on how long the original owner held the property. The program aims to lower schools' energy costs, boost system resiliency, and support the state's climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $15M for school solar grants, directly funding public infrastructure through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $15M grants for public school solar projects, directly improving school infrastructure and reducing operational costs for educational institutions.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirectly funds solar energy infrastructure for schools via $15M grant program, promoting renewable energy adoption with no cost-sharing requirement for schools.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds solar installations in schools via $15M grant program, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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