Energy in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 691: Increases solar development goals of SREC-II program and extends certain target dates of program to 2035.

This bill amends New Jersey's SREC-II solar incentive program to increase the annual solar development goal to 750 megawatts per year and extend target dates to 2035 (previously ending in 2026). It establishes a system where solar project owners earn renewable energy certificates (SREC-IIs) for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated, which utilities can use to meet state renewable energy requirements. Specific targets include 3,000 megawatts of community solar capacity by 2029 and 50 megawatts for small-scale remote net metering projects. These changes will affect solar developers who receive payments and ratepayers who fund the program through utility bills.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 40: Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes.

SCR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey governments' use of eminent domain (taking private property for public use) to specific "essential public purposes." It would remove the current authority to take property for "blighted area" redevelopment, while explicitly listing allowed purposes like utility corridors, schools, prisons, waste facilities, health care, and recreation. The amendment would prohibit government from seizing land solely to eliminate blight but would allow tax exemptions for private redevelopment projects under strict profit limits. This change aims to restrict eminent domain powers as defined in the state constitution, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Energy ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development

passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3183: Modifies various provisions of State's renewable energy incentive programs; requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.*

This bill modifies New Jersey's renewable energy incentive programs to support solar development on specific sites. It allows multiple solar projects to co-locate on the same or adjacent properties (without size limits) for community solar and remote net metering programs, and removes size restrictions for solar projects on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, or mining sites. Electric utilities must process interconnection applications for community solar or remote net metering projects on 34.5kV or lower voltage lines. Projects on designated sites must achieve commercial operation within 33 months (automatically extended for utility-caused delays), with the timeline starting from program registration.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 320: Authorizes EDA to provide grants from "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to finance replacement of certain agricultural equipment.

This bill, S 320, authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants to **farmers** for replacing inefficient or polluting agricultural equipment with more efficient, less polluting alternatives. The key provision requires applicants to prove the old equipment has been permanently dismantled or decommissioned before receiving a grant. Funds for this program are allocated from the 60% of the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" designated for agricultural, commercial, and industrial energy efficiency projects under existing law. The bill does not change the fund's overall structure but specifically expands EDA's grant authority for agricultural equipment upgrades.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 49: Urges Congress to establish national infrastructure bank.

This Senate resolution (SR 49) urges Congress to pass H.R.3339, which would establish a national infrastructure bank to address significant funding gaps for large-scale infrastructure projects. The proposed bank would generate capital by selling U.S. Treasury bonds to private investors, then lend funds to state and local governments for projects like roads, bridges, broadband, and energy systems. It directly affects states and municipalities by providing a dedicated, long-term funding source for infrastructure modernization, which the resolution cites as critical due to aging systems and climate-related strain (e.g., New Jersey’s 29% of roads in poor condition). The resolution emphasizes that current funding mechanisms are insufficient, and the bank model is used by other nations and historically by the U.S. for major economic investments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Bridges Transportation Funding

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 2189: Requires BPU to study potential deployment of advanced transmission technologies in NJ.

S 2189 (New Jersey Senate Bill 2189) requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study the potential deployment of advanced transmission technologies, such as high-performance conductors, power flow control systems, and grid-enhancing software. The study will evaluate how these technologies could reduce grid congestion, increase transmission capacity, and improve reliability for electric utilities serving New Jersey consumers. The BPU must analyze specific benefits including cost savings, faster deployment timelines (3 months to 3 years versus 10 years for traditional infrastructure), and how these technologies address existing grid bottlenecks. This is a procedural study bill with no immediate policy changes; it mandates analysis to inform future decisions about grid modernization.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Transmission

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SR 34: Urges Governor to declare energy generation emergency in New Jersey.

This Senate Resolution (SR 34) urges the Governor to declare an energy generation emergency in New Jersey. It highlights that the state has lost over 20% of its generating capacity in eight years, shifted from a net energy exporter to importer, and faces rising demand from data centers and AI that strains existing infrastructure. The resolution requests the Governor take steps to prioritize new energy infrastructure development and lower consumer energy costs. As a non-binding resolution, it directs the Governor and agencies like the Board of Public Utilities to address these energy challenges through emergency measures.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 653: Concerns contracting powers of certain local entities related to redevelopment.

S 653 expands the contracting authority of New Jersey's local redevelopment authorities, enabling them to more flexibly finance and manage redevelopment projects. The bill allows these agencies to make loans for redevelopment work, issue bonds to fund renewable energy upgrades and C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) projects, and negotiate contracts above a bid threshold without public bidding. This directly affects redevelopment authorities, municipalities, and property owners involved in redevelopment initiatives. The key change streamlines project financing by reducing bidding requirements for certain contracts, aiming to accelerate redevelopment efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2882: Authorizes DCA, DEP, DOT, and municipalities, to provide priority consideration to permit applications for green building projects.

This bill (S 2882) allows New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT), and municipalities to give priority consideration to permit applications for "green building projects." To qualify, projects must meet holistic sustainability standards (like LEED certification or equivalent) and include a letter from a licensed architect or engineer verifying compliance. The priority means these applications would receive faster review without guaranteeing approval. It directly affects developers seeking permits for sustainable buildings and local agencies reviewing construction projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 626: Establishes Nuclear Power Advisory Commission.

S 626 establishes a 9-member Nuclear Power Advisory Commission within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. The commission must study nuclear energy's role in the state's energy future, specifically examining its value as a reliable zero-emission power source for climate goals, impacts of plant closures on grid reliability and electricity costs, emerging small-scale nuclear technologies, and other states' nuclear policies. The commission, including ex-officio members and six gubernatorial appointees representing nuclear plants, academia, environmental groups, business, and labor, must submit a report within 18 months. The bill expires 30 days after the report is submitted.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Nuclear

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