This bill establishes renewable energy portfolio standards requiring electric power suppliers and basic generation service providers in New Jersey to source increasing percentages of electricity from renewable sources. Specifically, it mandates 2.5% from Class II renewables (like biomass) and requires Class I renewables (including solar, wind, and hydro) to reach 21% by 2020, 35% by 2025, and 50% by 2030. The bill also requires suppliers to disclose fuel mix and emissions data on customer bills and caps customer costs for Class I renewable requirements at 9% of electricity costs through 2021, then 7% annually after. These requirements apply directly to energy suppliers and indirectly affect all electricity customers in the state. (Note: The bill’s title references a "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program," but the actual provisions focus on broader renewable portfolio standards and disclosure rules, not a specific solar program.)
SCR 82 is a legislative resolution declaring that New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with prior legislative intent. The DEP adopted these rules in December 2021, requiring truck manufacturers to sell specific percentages of zero-emission trucks (e.g., 55% for Class 2b-3 vehicles) by 2035, but the resolution states this program was never authorized by the legislature. The resolution cites that previous law (P.L.2003, c.266) only permitted DEP to implement the *second phase* of California's low-emission vehicle program, not the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program, and that the DEP failed to provide required notice to environmental committees about the change. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the legislature could later invalidate them via another resolution.
This bill establishes New Jersey's "Community Power Storage Program," allowing electric utility customers to receive bill credits for participating in remote energy storage projects within their service area. The Board of Public Utilities must create rules within 210 days, including a 5-megawatt cap per project, a goal of 2,000 megawatts of storage by 2034, and requirements to prioritize urban areas and industrial sites. The program mandates low-income customer access, minimum customer participation (two per project), and standards for project connections and bill credit values. Utilities can recover implementation costs, and the Board must report annually on the program's effectiveness.
This bill requires developers of certain affordable housing projects to meet specific green building standards. It applies to new inclusionary affordable housing developments and existing units undergoing major renovations, mandating compliance with Energy Star standards for construction and renovation. Key provisions include using LED lighting with occupancy sensors, requiring Energy Star-rated appliances, incorporating solar facilities where feasible (with a formal exemption process), and implementing features like EV charging stations and native landscaping. Developers must also test soil for contamination before new construction on inclusionary housing sites. These requirements aim to reduce energy use and environmental impact in affordable housing developments.
This bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons of food waste annually within 25 miles of a recycling facility) to continue sending their food waste to sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy, if they were already doing so as of April 14, 2020. Generators using this method remain compliant with existing recycling requirements without switching to authorized recycling facilities. The bill maintains standard recycling rules for other generators and includes a waiver process if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10 percent. It also preserves penalties for non-compliance and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to publish facility details.
This New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 99) urges the U.S. Congress and President to increase domestic energy production and reduce regulatory barriers to oil and gas development. It specifically references high gasoline prices (over $4/gallon), the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global energy markets, and the need to reduce reliance on imports from Russia, the Middle East, and Venezuela. The resolution cites a 2022 letter from 25 governors requesting actions like removing federal land development bans, streamlining permitting, and reapproving the Keystone XL Pipeline. It does not create new laws but formally requests federal action to enhance energy independence and lower consumer energy costs.
New Jersey's Assembly Bill A4041 establishes a 11-member "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" within the Department of Environmental Protection. The task force will study safe methods for storing, reusing, recycling, and disposing of used EV batteries, including analyzing current recycling facilities, international policies, and second-life battery applications. It must develop recommendations for state legislation, programs, and infrastructure by a two-year deadline, holding public hearings across the state. The bill directly affects EV manufacturers, battery recyclers, state environmental agencies, and future EV battery management policies.
This bill creates tax credits for businesses constructing new buildings in New Jersey that meet specific environmental standards. It provides credits against corporation business tax and gross income tax for buildings certified at LEED Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels (based on energy efficiency, water use, and sustainable materials). Eligible buildings include large residential complexes (10,000+ sq ft) or commercial/industrial structures, with credit amounts tied to building size and certification level. To claim the credit, businesses must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner and comply with annual reporting requirements, subject to a $10 million annual cap on total credits.
This bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies (like the Department of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection, and the Board of Public Utilities) from requiring buildings to use electric heating or water heating systems as the sole or primary method until a specific report is issued. It directly affects building owners, developers, and utilities by delaying mandatory electric system requirements, though it does not stop voluntary adoption or private use of electric systems. The key mechanism requires the Department of Community Affairs to hold six public hearings across the state within 18 months (covering costs, environmental impacts, and worker effects) and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 24 months. After the report is published, the prohibition on mandates expires, allowing agencies to proceed with rules based on the findings.
This bill requires all New Jersey acute care hospitals to adopt and submit an environmental sustainability plan to the Department of Health every four years, with newly licensed hospitals needing to submit within six months of licensure. The plan must set goals for sustainable operations, including reducing waste, conserving water and energy, using renewable power, sustainable purchasing, and promoting less toxic materials. Hospitals must also issue annual progress reports on implementing these plans, which will be published online. The legislation directly affects all licensed hospitals in New Jersey by mandating concrete sustainability measures to reduce environmental impact and operational costs.
