This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prioritize funding for two types of projects: (1) land acquisition for recreation and conservation, and (2) environmental infrastructure projects that include or enable flood mitigation. It directly affects local governments, nonprofits, and communities seeking DEP grants under the Green Acres program, which uses constitutionally dedicated funds. Key provisions mandate that DEP establish criteria prioritizing projects that protect floodplains, reduce flood risk, conserve natural resources, and support recreational access. The bill amends existing laws to ensure these factors are explicitly considered when ranking eligible projects for funding.
New Jersey bill A-1037 allows utility lines for approved solar energy facilities to cross municipally-owned preserved open space (like parks or conservation areas funded by Green Acres programs) under strict conditions. It requires lines to be underground, not interfere with land use, and be approved by the local government after developers prove no alternative routes exist. Solar developers must also compensate landowners and provide documentation showing compliance with the bill’s requirements. This directly affects solar project developers, local municipalities managing preserved land, and the Board of Public Utilities overseeing solar approvals. The bill aims to support solar infrastructure development while protecting designated conservation areas.
This bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the state General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) specifically for dredging and restoration of the Peckman River. It directly affects the municipalities of Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Verona, and Woodland Park, requiring them to submit a joint plan for DEP approval to receive funding. The key provisions include waiving permit fees for approved dredging activities and mandating that DEP establish an application process to distribute funds based on each municipality's proposed river restoration plan. The funding covers dredging, cleaning, and other work consistent with an existing state permit for the river.
This bill requires developers seeking approval for planned development projects (like residential clusters or commercial sites) to submit a stormwater impact study as part of their site plan application. The study, conducted by a third-party consultant agreed upon by both the developer and local planning board, must evaluate pre- and post-development stormwater runoff, downstream flood risks, and potential mitigation strategies. It applies directly to developers and planning boards reviewing applications for planned developments under New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law. The bill amends existing law to mandate this review before site plan approval can be granted.
This bill requires energy companies receiving state subsidies (like renewable energy certificates) to disclose financial and operational details to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Rate Counsel. It mandates the BPU to publish an annual online list of all state energy subsidies, including funding sources, recipients, and allocation methods. The BPU must also submit yearly reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing subsidies provided to each recipient, their power output, and operational data. These requirements apply only to companies that accept subsidies, not to all energy providers.
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Government Transparency
This bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from approving dredge spoil dumping on Delaware River islands owned or controlled by the state or local governments, including Burlington Island. It requires the DEP to first petition all municipalities owning land on the island for authorization, and those municipalities must adopt a specific ordinance approving the dumping before any activity can proceed. The bill specifically applies to all dredge spoil dumping, including existing spoil banks, and aims to uphold longstanding protections for Burlington Island as a public recreational and educational space. Municipalities with land on the island would directly control whether such dumping occurs.
This bill requires scrap tire haulers (businesses that collect and transport old tires) to obtain licenses from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) starting 180 days after enactment. It mandates an electronic tracking system for all tire movements, financial assurance of at least $150,000 per hauler, and prohibits storage or transport to unapproved facilities. Additionally, it establishes permit requirements for scrap tire storage, collection, and disposal sites, setting safety and environmental standards. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.389, meaning it has become law.
This bill requires all construction, renovation, and demolition contractors in New Jersey to use physical barriers (like tarps, enclosures, and vacuums) and industry-standard filters to prevent dust, debris, microplastics, and other pollutants from escaping worksites and entering soil, water, or public spaces. It mandates daily cleanup of waste, record-keeping for two years, and on-site training for workers with visual guides on proper containment methods. Contractors face penalties including $1,000 fines for repeat violations and up to $5,000 for ongoing non-compliance, with daily violations treated as separate offenses. The law applies to all commercial and residential projects and enforces compliance through inspections by the Department of Community Affairs or local officials.
This bill requires owners and operators of certain sanitary landfills (those authorized to accept waste or closed after the law's effective date) to install and maintain landfill gas collection systems to control methane emissions. It mandates quarterly surface methane monitoring, limits emissions to 500 ppm at any single point or 25 ppm averaged across the site, and requires annual methane generation reports to the state environmental agency. Landfill gas systems must meet specific technical standards, including 99% methane destruction efficiency when flared. The law takes effect 24 months after enactment, with violations treated as breaches of New Jersey's Solid Waste Management Act.
This bill appropriates $8,000,000 from the Property Tax Relief Fund to Monmouth County's Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The funds are specifically designated to help purchase the Stein property in Upper Freehold Township, a historic Revolutionary War site. The funding supports permanent preservation of this farmland, preventing a proposed warehouse development that local residents and groups expressed concerns about affecting open space, water sources, and community quality.
