This bill establishes a Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program within the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank. It would impose a per-kilowatt-hour charge on all electricity consumption in the state, added to utility bills for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The collected funds would finance projects like flood-resistant infrastructure, coastal protection, and other climate resilience initiatives. The program aims to address climate impacts through targeted infrastructure investments, funded directly by electricity users.
S 3642 authorizes New Jersey school districts with existing automotive programs to partner with private companies to create electric vehicle (EV) certification programs. These programs would train students in EV-related careers like automotive technology, engineering, and maintenance, with districts issuing certifications to successful completers. School districts may use national industry standards and consult the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities when developing these programs. The bill directly affects eligible school districts and their students seeking EV career pathways, with no funding or mandates specified.
This bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons annually) to dispose of source-separated food waste at sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy production, instead of sending it to dedicated recycling facilities. It applies to generators within 25 miles of a recycling facility who choose this alternative path, requiring landfills to deliver gas to facilities generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas meeting quality standards. The policy expands disposal options while maintaining the core requirement for source separation. Generators must continue this disposal method to remain compliant, with waivers available if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10% or more.
This bill exempts residential customers in New Jersey from paying state sales and use tax on natural gas and electricity purchases. It directly affects homeowners and renters who pay for home energy services. Utilities must deduct the tax amount from monthly bills before charging customers, effectively removing the tax from their bills. The Division of Taxation and Board of Public Utilities will create implementation rules, and the law takes effect immediately. This change reduces costs for residential energy consumers by eliminating a state tax on these essential services.
This bill creates a $1 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support business accelerators and incubators. The program provides funding to organizations that help early-stage companies developing technology in specific fields, including clean energy, life sciences, biotechnology, advanced materials, and manufacturing. Grants can cover costs related to low-cost workspace, technical assistance, and other support services offered to these companies. The program uses $1 million in existing societal benefits charge revenues, directly benefiting business support networks and the startups they serve across targeted technology sectors.
New Jersey's A 255, the "Energy Storage System Procurement Act," requires electric utilities, power suppliers, and basic generation providers (collectively "electric service providers") to integrate energy storage systems into their long-term grid planning. The bill directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish rules within 180 days for procuring storage systems that improve grid reliability, reduce peak-demand generation needs, and defer infrastructure investments. It allows providers to submit early applications for systems under 15 megawatts before the rules are finalized and mandates that planning include cost-benefit analyses and safety safeguards for grid integration. The law explicitly preserves existing approved storage projects and aims to standardize how utilities evaluate storage as part of grid planning.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 106) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules - adopted January 20, 2026, and known as NJPACT-REAL - are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by adopting these rules without explicit legislative approval, as the DEP claimed authority under outdated laws that never intended to cover climate regulations. The rules significantly expand flood hazard areas, restrict development rights for property owners, and impact housing costs and property values. This resolution does not change the rules but formally states the Legislature’s position that the DEP must await future legislative action on climate policy.
SCR 86 is a legislative resolution declaring that New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rules adopted in December 2023 - which would implement California’s "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) program - are inconsistent with the state’s 2003 law. The resolution states that the 2003 law only authorized the DEP to adopt rules for California’s older LEV II program, not the newer ACC II program, and that the DEP failed to provide required legislative notice before adopting the rules. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the Legislature could later pass another resolution to invalidate them. This affects the DEP’s authority to enforce ACC II requirements on automakers and directly impacts vehicle manufacturers selling in New Jersey.
This bill provides tax credits for businesses purchasing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for commercial use. Businesses can claim up to 25% of the vehicle cost (capped at $15,000) in 2023, decreasing to 8% ($5,000 cap) by 2025. To qualify, businesses must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner confirming the vehicle meets specifications and is used exclusively for business operations. The credits apply against both New Jersey's corporation business tax and gross income tax.
This bill requires developers of new affordable housing projects (10+ units or 4+ stories) to meet LEED Silver or equivalent green building standards. It also mandates that these developers submit four impact studies to local municipalities before construction: traffic, school, storm water, and carbon (if clearing over one acre of land). The requirements apply to "inclusionary developments" as defined under existing law and do not affect projects with applications submitted before the bill's effective date. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt implementing rules within eight months of enactment.
