Energy in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2942: Prohibits electric and gas public utilities from implementing certain customer charges.

This bill (A 2942) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential customers a fixed "customer charge" that isn’t based on usage. Such charges cover administrative costs like meter reading, billing, and service line maintenance. The bill directly affects residential utility customers by banning these fixed fees, requiring utilities to base charges only on actual electricity or gas consumption. It takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 163: Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies, counties, and municipalities from adopting rules or ordinances that ban the installation or use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances (like natural gas stoves) in residential or commercial kitchens, provided the appliances meet existing federal and state safety standards. It does not prevent voluntary programs that incentivize switching to electric appliances. The bill directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses that might face local restrictions on gas appliances. It is currently pending in the Assembly Environment Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 907: Prohibits collecting of certain costs associated with offshore wind projects from ratepayers.

This bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from charging ratepayers (electricity/gas bill payers) for certain costs related to offshore wind projects. It directly affects residential and business customers who pay utility bills by preventing utilities from passing these specific project expenses through their rates. The key mechanism is a legal restriction requiring utilities to absorb these costs internally rather than collecting them from customers. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee after introduction in 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Wind

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2127: Prohibits certain public utilities from charging residents of multi-unit dwellings meter-reading fees in certain circumstances.

This bill (A2127) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential tenants in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for a billing cycle. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who have opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. The law sets a clear cap: utilities cannot charge more for manual readings than the customer’s regular utility usage cost. This applies directly to renters in shared housing who choose manual metering, ensuring fees align with actual consumption rather than arbitrary charges.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1071: Establishes advanced nuclear energy program in BPU.

This bill establishes a program within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to support the development of advanced nuclear energy projects. It defines "advanced nuclear reactors" as those with specific improvements over current technology, including enhanced safety, reduced waste, better integration with renewable energy, and modular design. The program requires projects to be approved by the BPU and includes a new "advanced nuclear development charge" to cover eligible construction costs, with rules for managing unforeseen cost increases. It also creates a certification system for electricity generated, ensuring it meets environmental and reliability standards for qualified projects.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4028: Authorizes EDA to provide grants from "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to finance replacement of certain agricultural equipment.

This bill authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide grants from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to help farmers replace inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting alternatives. It directly affects farmers who operate equipment meeting the specified criteria for replacement. The key mechanism requires applicants to prove the old equipment has been permanently decommissioned, and grants must support projects demonstrably reducing greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The fund allocation for this purpose is part of a larger 60% EDA distribution for energy efficiency and emissions reduction projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change Tags Agriculture

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3892: Excludes permit applications for construction of certain pipelines and related infrastructure from eligibility for automatic approval if DEP fails to take action on application within 90 days.

This bill amends New Jersey's "90-Day Law" to exclude pipeline construction permits for natural gas and petroleum products, along with related infrastructure like compressor stations, from automatic approval if the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) doesn't act within 90 days. Currently, most construction permits (e.g., for waterfront development or coastal wetlands) automatically become approved after 90 days without a DEP decision, but this bill removes pipeline projects from that rule. Pipeline developers must now wait for an explicit DEP decision within the 90-day window instead of relying on automatic approval. The change applies only to pipeline permits and does not affect other types of permits covered by the 90-Day Law.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3928: Requires BPU to designate solar portion of critical renewable microgrid as solar energy project under Community Solar Energy Program; requires Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to designate certain microgrids as assets of importance.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program allowing solar energy systems connected to "critical renewable microgrids" to qualify as community solar projects. These systems would receive special incentives, including solar energy credits at low-income rates and the ability to exceed the standard 5-megawatt capacity limit. To qualify, systems must supply at least 75% of their energy to low- or moderate-income customers at 20% below standard rates. Additionally, the Office of Homeland Security must designate qualifying microgrids as "assets of importance," exempting their solar incentives from certain cost caps. The program is limited to 100 megawatts annually and requires systems to begin operations within 3-4 years of approval.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2665: Provides gross income tax deduction for costs of purchasing and installing battery backups for certain home solar electrical generators.

This bill allows New Jersey homeowners with solar generators in their primary residence to deduct up to $10,000 of the cost for purchasing and installing battery backup systems from their gross income tax. It directly affects homeowners who have installed solar panels and wish to add energy storage. The key provision creates a tax deduction for these specific battery backup costs, effective immediately for taxable years ending after enactment. The purpose is to incentivize battery storage so solar-powered homes can maintain electricity during power outages, as solar systems currently disconnect from the grid during outages.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Energy Storage Solar

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3971: Establishes Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program in EDA to encourage use of power plants for fusion energy and technology purposes; authorizes funds in Global Warming Solutions Fund to support fusion energy and technology facilities.

This bill creates a Fusion Energy and Technology Incentive Program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to encourage using power plant sites for fusion energy development. It provides tax credits to two groups: (1) property owners who lease space on power plant sites to fusion companies (15% of rent plus 35% of qualifying site preparation costs), and (2) fusion companies operating facilities on those sites. The program is limited to $5 million in annual tax credits and applies to both operational and decommissioned power plants. It directly affects New Jersey-based fusion energy companies and property owners with eligible power plant sites.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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