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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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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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 186: Requires MVC to issue special windshield stickers marking electric vehicles exempt from emission inspections.

This bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue special windshield stickers for qualifying electric vehicles (EVs). Owners of EVs meeting the bill's definition - vehicles powered solely by electricity without hydrocarbon fuel (excluding plug-in hybrids) - would display these stickers to be exempt from annual emission inspections. The sticker system would replace the current emission inspection requirement for these vehicles, as specified in the amended statute. The bill directly affects EV owners in New Jersey by simplifying inspection compliance for their vehicles.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts EVs from emission inspections, promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's definition of qualifying vehicles.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts zero-emission EVs from unnecessary emission inspections, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing regulatory burden for environmentally friendly vehicles.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts EVs from emission inspections, promoting sustainable transportation adoption by reducing regulatory barriers for electric vehicles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 685: Establishes "Fleet Conversion Task Force" in DEP.

S 685 creates a 15-member "Fleet Conversion Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to study the transition of commercial vehicle fleets (like delivery trucks and company vehicles) to zero-emission models. The task force will examine challenges such as costs for small businesses, coordinate with stakeholders including fleet operators, manufacturers, and environmental groups, and develop policy recommendations to support this shift. It directly affects commercial fleet owners, operators, and related industries by seeking solutions to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 38% of New Jersey's total greenhouse gases. The task force must hold public hearings, gather input from diverse sectors, and submit findings to the state within a set timeframe.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes task force to study zero-emission fleet transition, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force to study transition to zero-emission commercial fleets, directly reducing emissions and supporting environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates task force to transition commercial fleets to zero-emission vehicles, directly promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and vehicle regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 684: Establishes thermal energy network pilot program for gas public utilities.*

S 684 establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey allowing gas public utilities to replace aging natural gas pipelines with geothermal energy infrastructure (like underground heating/cooling systems) and recover the project costs through customer utility rates. Gas utilities must submit detailed infrastructure plans to the Board of Public Utilities for approval, which will evaluate project costs, benefits like reduced emissions, and impacts on ratepayers. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, with a final assessment on whether to make it permanent. This directly affects gas utilities operating in New Jersey, aiming to transition infrastructure toward renewable geothermal energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes geothermal pilot program replacing gas infrastructure with renewable energy, reduces emissions, and recovers costs via rates - directly promotes renewable energy adoption and infrastructure transition.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes geothermal energy infrastructure to reduce emissions, with Board evaluating emission benefits as key approval criteria for utility projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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