Energy

S 644 establishes New Jersey's "Electric Vehicle Battery Repurposing Fund" in the state's General Fund, funded by $500 per retail electric vehicle sale reported annually. The fund supports repurposing (using old EV batteries for stationary storage like home energy systems), remanufacturing (restoring batteries to like-new condition), and recycling of EV batteries in an environmentally safe way. It directly affects electric vehicle owners (through the sales-based funding) and businesses handling battery processing. The bill aims to prevent toxic landfill contamination from batteries containing lithium, cobalt, and graphite as EV adoption grows in the state.

This bill requires New Jersey's electric utilities to create and submit to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) detailed plans within 120 days of enactment. The plans must address reopening electric distribution circuits currently closed or restricted (to ≤100 kW) for new renewable energy projects like solar panels and battery storage. Key provisions include requiring smart inverters that manage reactive power, enabling electricity flow between distribution and transmission systems, and identifying cost-effective alternatives to upgrade infrastructure. Utilities must report on interconnection approvals for renewable projects after implementing their plans, with the BPU reviewing and approving plans within 300 days. The bill directly affects utilities and renewable energy developers by removing grid access barriers.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study and implement technical solutions that enable more distributed energy sources - like rooftop solar and small-scale storage - to connect to the electrical grid. Specifically, it directs the BPU to evaluate methods such as allowing electricity flow between grid segments, requiring solar inverters to manage "reactive power" (non-working electricity due to waveform misalignment), and enabling weather-responsive solar output control. Within one year, the BPU must submit a report with recommendations, followed by pilot programs to test solutions before potential statewide rollout. The bill directly affects grid operators, renewable energy developers, and homeowners with solar systems by streamlining interconnection processes.

S 618 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to update interconnection standards for Class I renewable energy systems (like solar, wind, and small-scale geothermal) within 18 months, aligning with national model standards unless impractical. It also mandates a fixed "grid modernization fee" paid by renewable project owners to utilities, calculated per kilowatt of capacity - with a $50/kW cap for small residential systems under 10 kW for the first three years. The bill establishes maximum interconnection cost limits, allows utilities to recover excess costs through rate adjustments, and requires a BPU report on economic impacts and progress toward state clean energy goals. This directly affects renewable energy project developers and electric utilities managing grid connections.