Environment in New Jersey

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

A 779: Prohibits DEP from demolishing or requiring removal of certain cabins or similar structures located in certain tidal wetlands.

This bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from removing or requiring the removal of specific cabins in Lower Alloways Creek Township's tidal wetlands. These cabins must serve as public shelters for anyone needing temporary lodging, such as travelers or hikers. The state gains legal immunity for injuries or property damage at these cabins, but exemptions apply if cabins were built illegally, on land the state owned before construction, or built by the state itself. The policy directly affects cabin users and DEP enforcement actions in this specific location.

Topics ✗ Environment

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

A 143: Prohibits State departments and agencies from considering or requiring compliance by Highlands planning area municipalities with Highlands regional master plan in certain circumstances.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring municipalities in the Highlands planning area to revise their local master plans to match the regional master plan as a condition for approvals like permits, grants, or loans. It also bans agencies from considering whether a municipality follows the regional plan when making decisions about funding, permits, or assistance. State departments listed include environmental protection, transportation, community affairs, and affordable housing agencies. The law takes immediate effect and directly affects municipalities in the Highlands region by reducing state oversight of their local land-use planning.

Topics ✗ Environment

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

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

A 2756: Exempts sales of reusable carryout bags from sales and use tax.

This bill (A 2756) exempts sales of qualifying reusable carryout bags from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It directly affects retailers selling these bags and consumers purchasing them, as it removes the tax on eligible products. The bill defines a "reusable carryout bag" as one made from machine-washable materials (like cloth, polypropylene, or nylon), with stitched handles, and designed for multiple uses. The tax exemption applies to all sales made four months after the bill takes effect.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4367: Revises certain requirements concerning grants to fund soil and water conservation projects on preserved farms.

This bill removes a requirement that landowners contribute 50% of costs for soil and water conservation projects on preserved farmland. It clarifies that county agriculture boards only review grant applications when counties provide funding, otherwise applications go directly to soil conservation districts. Recipients must maintain projects for three years or repay funds (with exceptions for death, bankruptcy, or extreme weather). The changes apply to landowners in municipal farmland preservation programs or with permanent/20-year land use restrictions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

A 1170: Requires submission of energy usage plan to BPU for proposed artificial intelligence data centers; requires all electricity for artificial intelligence data centers to be derived from new clean energy sources.

This bill requires all new artificial intelligence data centers in New Jersey to use electricity derived exclusively from new clean energy sources (such as solar/wind or nuclear power) rather than conventional grid power. It directly affects developers seeking approval for new AI data centers by mandating they submit an energy usage plan to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for review. The plan must detail how the facility will source clean energy, minimize cooling energy use, optimize water and ventilation systems, and repurpose waste heat. The BPU must approve the plan within 90 days before construction can proceed, ensuring these centers align with New Jersey’s clean energy goals.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3665: Requires BPU to provide funding for purchase and installation of photovoltaic technologies for age-restricted community clubhouse facilities from societal benefits charge.

S 3665 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to fund the purchase and installation of solar panels at clubhouse facilities in age-restricted communities using money from the societal benefits charge. The bill defines "age-restricted community" as housing meeting federal standards for "housing for older persons." This provision directs existing utility customer fees - collected to support energy assistance programs - toward covering solar equipment costs at these specific clubhouses. It does not create new fees but reallocates a portion of an existing charge to support solar installations for older residents' community facilities.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

All environment bills