Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1255: Requires BPU to adopt regulations allowing wastewater utilities to impose wastewater system improvement charge.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules allowing wastewater utilities to charge customers a specific "wastewater system improvement charge." The charge would cover costs for rehabilitating, improving, or replacing aging wastewater infrastructure, such as pipes and treatment facilities. It directly affects wastewater utilities (like municipal sewer systems) and their customers who pay for wastewater services. The rules would mirror existing regulations already in place for water utilities (N.J.A.C.14:9-10.1 et seq.), enabling similar cost recovery for wastewater infrastructure needs. The goal is to accelerate repairs to deteriorating systems by providing a clear funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 625: Establishes limits on zoning restrictions for certain electric battery storage equipment installation.

This bill, S 625, streamlines zoning approvals for small electric battery storage equipment in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners (allowing residential installations as a permitted accessory use without special permits) and businesses (exempting commercial/industrial installations from site plan reviews or variances). Key provisions require municipalities to approve qualifying applications within 20 days if complete, mandate compliance with existing safety codes, and direct the state to publish a model ordinance for installation standards. The bill removes local barriers to battery storage deployment while maintaining safety requirements and allowing municipalities to adopt reasonable, non-review-based standards.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2735: Provides sales and use tax exemption for sales of fuel cell devices and systems and certain tangible personal property powered by fuel cells.

This bill (S 2735) exempts sales of fuel cell devices and systems from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It applies to devices that generate electricity from fuel without combustion (e.g., for heating, cooling, or power) and covers related tangible property. The exemption also extends to fuels like natural gas, propane, and hydrogen used in these systems. This directly benefits businesses and consumers purchasing fuel cell technology for energy use.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Oil & Gas

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 2333: Requires DOT to erect and maintain certain electric vehicle charging station signs.

This bill (S 2333) requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain highway exit signs that direct motorists to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It directly affects EV drivers traveling on designated highways, including Interstates and limited-access roads. The signs must follow federal design standards for traffic control devices, ensuring clear, consistent placement and sizing. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2075: Prohibits the sale of certain children's products containing lead, mercury, or cadmium.

S 2075 prohibits the sale, distribution, import, or manufacture of children’s products (like toys or play equipment) intended for children under age six that contain lead, mercury, or cadmium. It requires manufacturers, distributors, or importers to issue immediate recalls if such products are discovered, and mandates retailers to remove recalled items from sales within 48 hours and return inventory within 14 business days. Manufacturers must destroy recalled products within 60 days to prevent public access. Violations carry penalties: $10,000-$20,000 fines for sales or recall failures, or criminal charges (up to 10 years imprisonment) for repeated noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 607: Establishes Renewable and Efficient Energy Financing Program; authorizes BPU to transfer up to $20 million annually in societal benefits charge revenues to New Jersey Infrastructure Bank for purposes of program.

This bill establishes a program to help New Jersey state agencies, local governments, and school districts finance energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings. It authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to provide loans and financial assistance for projects like solar panels, improved insulation, and efficient HVAC systems, using up to $20 million annually from societal benefits charge revenues. Projects must demonstrate that total costs will be offset by energy savings within 10 years or the equipment's useful life. The program requires applicants to complete an energy assessment showing cost-effectiveness before receiving funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 484: Requires municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to incorporate recommendations from certain local environmental commissions on applications for development.

This bill requires New Jersey municipal planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment to review and incorporate recommendations from local environmental commissions when considering development applications. It directly affects these municipal boards and environmental commissions by changing how they interact during development reviews. Key mechanisms include mandating that boards provide environmental commissions with actual copies (not just informational copies) of all development applications, and requiring boards to consider and incorporate environmental recommendations into their decisions where possible. The bill updates existing law, which previously allowed boards to ignore environmental recommendations without consequence.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 689: Provides for certain energy storage projects to be considered "inherently beneficial use" under MLUL.

This bill amends New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law to explicitly classify certain energy storage projects as "inherently beneficial use." It directly affects municipalities (which handle land use approvals) and developers building energy storage projects eligible for the state's Energy Storage Program. The key mechanism changes the definition of "inherently beneficial use" to include projects receiving incentives from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities' energy storage programs, streamlining their approval process. This means qualifying energy storage facilities would no longer face standard development hurdles like zoning variances, as they'd be treated similarly to schools or hospitals under local land use rules. The change applies to projects under the Garden State Energy Storage Program or successor programs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2303: Provides for BPU incentives for district energy collaboratives and certain combined heat and power facilities.

This bill (S 2303) proposes creating financial incentives administered by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for two types of energy systems: district energy collaboratives (community-scale energy systems serving multiple buildings) and specific combined heat and power (CHP) facilities. It would allow the BPU to offer these incentives to encourage the development and operation of these energy-efficient systems, which generate both electricity and usable heat from a single fuel source. The bill amends existing energy law definitions to clarify these systems' eligibility for incentives. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Environment and Energy Committee.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2328: Revises provisions of "Dry Cell Battery Management Act."

This bill revises New Jersey's Dry Cell Battery Management Act to update rules for disposing of specific batteries. It defines "covered batteries" (including portable, medium-format, and rechargeable types) while excluding medical device batteries, lead acid batteries over 11 pounds, vehicle batteries, and recalled batteries. The law directly affects retailers, distributors, and institutions that handle large volumes of these batteries, requiring proper disposal under the updated framework. Key changes clarify definitions and exclusions to streamline battery management and reduce regulatory burden for excluded categories. The bill amends existing law and repeals two sections, but does not create new disposal requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

All environment bills