Environment in New Jersey

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

A 4032: Authorizes counties to establish mentoring programs for, and resell preserved farmland at reduced price to, beginning farmers.

This bill allows New Jersey counties to create mentoring programs pairing experienced farmers with new or less experienced farmers (defined as those with 10 years or less farming experience in the state). It also authorizes counties to resell preserved farmland - land previously protected through state programs - at reduced prices to beginning farmers, provided the land remains under agricultural deed restrictions. Proceeds from these sales must be returned to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund for future land protection. The bill modifies existing farmland preservation laws to enable these programs and sales while ensuring funds support ongoing farmland conservation.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

A 3932: Directs installation of hydrogen refueling stations at service areas on State's toll roads.

This bill (A3932) requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to install at least one hydrogen refueling station at every service area along their toll roads within two years. It directly affects these transportation authorities (mandating the installations) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicle drivers (who gain refueling access). The bill specifies that authorities must recover installation and operational costs from users proportionally based on their station usage. It does not alter vehicle technology or emissions standards but ensures infrastructure support for hydrogen-powered vehicles on state toll routes.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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

A 1558: Provides that electric vehicle supply equipment proposed for installation at certain locations does not pose specific, adverse impact upon public health or safety; removes certain existing approval requirements.

This bill simplifies approval for installing electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment at existing locations like gas stations and retail stores in New Jersey. It removes previous requirements that applicants prove installations comply with site plan bulk rules and prior approval conditions. Instead, applicants must now demonstrate the proposed EV equipment won’t cause unmitigatable health or safety risks. The change applies to all pending or new applications after enactment, streamlining the process for businesses adding EV infrastructure to existing properties.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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

A 4063: Provides CBT credit for construction or retrofitting of warehouse to meet certain green building standards.

This bill provides a 25% tax credit against New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax for businesses constructing new warehouses or retrofitting existing ones to meet specific green building standards. It directly affects commercial property owners and developers who build or upgrade warehouses to achieve at least a LEED Silver, Green Globes Two-Globe, or equivalent nationally recognized sustainability rating. Eligible costs include construction, engineering, and site work (excluding land, computers, or fuel cells), with credit eligibility requiring certification from a licensed engineer/architect and a certificate of occupancy. The credit applies to projects meeting the bill's defined "green warehouse" standards, which must be solar-ready and designed for renewable energy integration. The Department of Community Affairs must issue an eligibility certificate verifying compliance before the tax credit can be claimed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Renewable Energy Solar

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

A 780: Provides credit under corporation business tax and gross income tax for construction of buildings in accordance with certain energy and environmental performance standards.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Energy Efficiency

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

A 1769: Establishes Water Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources (WATER) Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a five-year WATER Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, appropriating $1 million to fund water-sector apprenticeships. It directly affects eligible organizations - such as businesses, unions, colleges, nonprofits, and public utilities - that run accredited water-related training programs (e.g., for wastewater workers) and partner with industry. Key provisions require applicants to demonstrate U.S. Department of Labor accreditation, secure industry partnerships, and prioritize underserved communities, with grants covering program costs. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department must evaluate the program’s effectiveness yearly.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3560: Increases qualified research expenses tax credit for corporation business taxpayers engaged in targeted industries; increases basic research payment tax credit; allows research tax credit to be refundable.

This New Jersey bill (S 3560) increases tax credits for corporations conducting research in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and high-tech sectors. It raises the research credit rate from 10% to 15% for businesses in these industries and boosts the basic research payment credit to 15%. Crucially, it makes the research tax credit refundable - meaning corporations can receive cash payments if credits exceed their tax liability, rather than only reducing taxes owed. The bill directly affects New Jersey-based corporations engaged in qualifying research activities, with "targeted industries" defined by the state's Economic Development Authority.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Renewable Energy

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

A 1351: Increases amounts of certain payments in lieu of taxes paid for lands owned by State or nonprofit organization for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill increases compensation payments to New Jersey municipalities for land owned by the State or qualifying nonprofit organizations for recreation and conservation purposes. It raises the initial 13-year payments (based on prior tax assessments) and establishes new annual per-acre rates after year 13, ranging from $3 to $40 per acre depending on the percentage of conservation land in the municipality. Payments are funded from the General Fund, not constitutionally dedicated moneys, and apply only to permanently preserved land. Municipalities receive these payments to offset lost tax revenue, with rates increasing as conservation land makes up a larger portion of the municipality's total area.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Conservation

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

A 3324: Designates and preserves Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park as natural habitat.

This bill designates and permanently preserves the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park (Jersey City, Hudson County) as natural habitat. It specifically protects the area's estuarine ecosystem, critical bird breeding habitat, and urban environmental education resource, overriding prior laws that might conflict with this designation. The bill applies directly to the land parcel identified on Jersey City tax maps (Block 27601/27701 Lots 1, Block 24307/24306 Lot 10/7). It takes effect immediately upon enactment, ensuring the peninsula's ecological features are maintained without future development or alteration.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4490: Establishes thermal energy network pilot program for gas public utilities.

This bill establishes a four-year pilot program allowing New Jersey gas utilities to build thermal energy networks using geothermal or other renewable thermal sources (like waste heat) as an alternative to natural gas infrastructure. It directly affects gas utilities, their ratepayers (who may see cost recovery through bills), and communities - particularly those with aging pipelines or no gas service. Utilities must submit detailed "thermal infrastructure plans" to the Board of Public Utilities for approval, which will evaluate project costs, benefits like emissions reductions and job creation, and how well projects serve low-income or overburdened communities. The program limits approval to one project per geographic region (northern, central, southern, coastal) and permits cost recovery via utility rates. The goal is to test the feasibility of thermal networks for heating and cooling across the state.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection

All environment bills