This bill requires data center owners or operators in New Jersey to submit quarterly water and energy usage reports to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The reports must include specific metrics like total energy consumption, water sources, renewable energy usage, waste heat reuse, and efficiency indicators such as power usage effectiveness. Data centers operating for at least one year must submit their first report within three months of enactment, while newer centers have six months. The BPU would publish all submitted data online within 30 days, making it publicly accessible.
S 2936 prohibits New Jersey municipalities, school districts, and state agencies from purchasing, installing, or using artificial turf for any new or existing athletic fields. The bill cites health and environmental concerns, noting artificial turf contains harmful chemicals (including carcinogens and "forever chemicals" like PFAS), microplastics, and can reach dangerously high temperatures. Existing artificial turf fields may remain in use but cannot be replaced with artificial turf. The law aims to shift investments toward natural grass fields, which the bill states are free of these hazards and can be maintained safely through organic practices.
S 1676 requires all New Jersey public and nonpublic schools participating in federal school lunch programs to offer at least one plant-based meal daily during regular lunch service. This applies to schools operating under the National School Lunch Program or similar federal programs, directly affecting students enrolled in those schools. The bill defines a "plant-based meal" as one containing no animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, fish, or poultry) but including plant-based alternatives like vegetables, grains, legumes, or nuts. Schools must ensure this meal meets quality and preparation standards comparable to other lunch options. The requirement applies to daily service throughout the regular school year, not emergency or special meal programs.
This bill requires all new State government buildings over 15,000 square feet to include on-site power systems (like solar panels or battery storage) that provide electricity during power outages. It also mandates that State entities consider adding these systems when renovating, repairing, or improving existing large State buildings (15,000+ sq ft), if feasible. "Distributed energy resources" exclude diesel generators and must be located near where power is used. The Director of Property Management enforces these requirements, which apply to all State buildings not already under active renovation plans.
This bill requires new retail facilities and warehouses larger than 75,000 square feet to be designed with roofs capable of supporting solar panels. Specifically, the roof structure must accommodate the weight of solar systems covering at least 40% of the roof area (minus certain features like skylights), regardless of panel type or weather conditions. It applies to buildings where construction permits were not finalized before the bill's effective date, and mandates the Department of Community Affairs to establish detailed design standards. The law aims to make future solar installations on large commercial buildings more feasible and cost-effective.
S 1370 requires that all new flooring installed in schools (K-12 public or private) and licensed child care centers must be certified by the manufacturer as mercury-free before a construction permit can be issued. This applies to any new construction, repair, or upgrade of flooring in these facilities. Manufacturers falsely claiming mercury-free flooring face civil penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for repeat violations. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.
This bill requires electric public utilities in New Jersey to submit transmission project proposals to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approval before starting construction or modifications of transmission lines. Proposals must detail environmental impacts, full project costs, evidence of public benefits (like reliability or lower costs), and cost-effective alternatives. The BPU must review proposals within 90 days and approve them only if deemed reasonable, in the public interest, and cost-effective. The bill aims to ensure transmission projects are necessary, affordable, and minimize unnecessary costs for consumers.
S 1220 requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to study indoor air quality in public schools within one year of the bill's effective date. The DOH must test for specific contaminants like carbon dioxide, VOCs, and fine particulate matter across a representative sample of schools (covering diverse regions, age levels, and building ages), then compile a statewide list of common contaminants and develop practical guidance for schools to reduce or mitigate these pollutants. This guidance will be shared with the Department of Education and posted online for public access. The bill directly affects public schools by providing them with science-based tools to address indoor air quality, while requiring the DOH, DEP, and DOE to collaborate on implementation.
This bill creates a program through New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank to help school districts replace diesel school buses with electric ones. It allocates $20 million annually from state "societal benefits charge" revenues to fund loans and financial assistance for purchasing electric buses and charging infrastructure. School districts must complete energy assessments comparing costs and environmental benefits of electric vs. diesel buses, with priority given to districts in communities disproportionately affected by pollution. The program requires school districts to repay loans using operational savings from electric buses, and the Infrastructure Bank must submit an annual project priority list to the legislature.
S 659 provides a 35% tax credit for New Jersey taxpayers who install solar energy systems on their property, directly affecting residential homeowners, apartment building owners, and businesses. The credit covers 35% of qualified solar equipment costs (purchase, installation, or long-term leases), with annual limits of $5,000 for single-family homes, $350 per apartment unit, and $500,000 for commercial or industrial properties. Taxpayers must apply for certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner, and unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. The total annual tax credit funding is capped at $25 million across all eligible properties.
