Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 311: Requires certain facilities that store or process automotive shredder residue to obtain DEP permit; defines "hazardous waste" to include automotive shredder residue.

This bill requires scrap processing facilities that handle automotive shredder residue (ASR) - the non-recyclable material left after shredding cars and metal scrap - to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It explicitly defines ASR as "hazardous waste," meaning facilities must follow DEP-set limits on storage volume, height, and duration, and cannot store ASR near homes or critical infrastructure. The law amends existing waste management statutes to include these requirements and mandates the DEP to create rules for implementation. It directly affects scrap processing facilities statewide that currently handle ASR without permitting.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling Waste Management

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 604: Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.

New Jersey's S 604 prohibits state pension and annuity funds from investing in the 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies, ranked by carbon content in their oil, gas, and coal reserves. It requires full divestment from these companies within one year (two years for coal companies), with exceptions allowing temporary reinvestment if fund values drop below 99.5% of their hypothetical value without divestment. The bill mandates annual reports tracking divestment progress and compliance to the Governor, Legislature, and Attorney General. This policy directly affects the state's $100+ billion pension funds and their investment decisions regarding fossil fuel holdings.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 487: Exempts sales of energy-saving products and services from sales and use tax.

This bill exempts the sales tax on specific energy-saving products and services when purchased by consumers or businesses. It covers items like LED light bulbs, insulation, window weather stripping, tankless water heaters, and furnace filters, which are defined as products or services primarily designed to reduce energy use in homes and buildings. The tax exemption applies to retail sales made after the bill takes effect, removing the sales tax burden on these items. This change directly benefits homeowners and businesses looking to install or buy energy-efficient upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Tax Incentives Energy Efficiency Recycling

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1878: Requires grants to local government units to cover total cost of forest stewardship plans; provides for allocation of funding from "Global Warming Solutions Fund".

This bill establishes the "Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund" using money from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to cover costs for forest stewardship planning. It provides grants to cover the **total cost** of developing and implementing forest stewardship plans for **local government-owned forest land**. For private owners and nonprofits, it offers up to $1,500 base coverage, with an additional 80% of costs exceeding $1,500 (capped at $2,500 total). The fund directly supports local governments, nonprofits, and private forest landowners in creating plans to manage and steward forest resources.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2366: Sets vehicle miles traveled reduction targets; establishes "Vehicle Miles Traveled Advisory Commission."

This bill sets statewide targets to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2035 (10% per capita, 3% statewide) and 2050 (20% per capita, 8.5% statewide) compared to 2019 levels. It creates the "Vehicle Miles Traveled Advisory Commission," composed of state agency leaders and public members with expertise in transportation, active mobility, and smart growth planning. The commission will track progress, review state plans, and submit annual reports with policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for transportation, environmental protection, and community planning, aiming to reduce emissions and transportation costs - particularly for lower-income households - through more compact development and active transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1222: Requires public water systems and landlords to provide certain notice of elevated perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances levels in drinking water; requires DEP to establish educational program.

This bill requires public water systems in New Jersey to notify customers within 30 days if PFAS levels exceed state limits, including specific details about health effects and directing them to a new DEP educational program. Landlords must distribute these notices to tenants within 3 business days of receiving them from water systems, and post them prominently in rental properties. The notice must cover vulnerable groups like schools, hospitals, and facilities serving children, and include updates on contamination mitigation efforts. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must create an online educational program about PFAS health risks and water safety. These requirements apply until PFAS levels return to acceptable limits.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2332: Excludes environmentally sensitive and flood-prone land from designation as vacant or available for purposes of affordable housing construction.

This bill, S 2332, amends New Jersey's affordable housing law to exclude certain environmentally protected or flood-prone lands from counting toward a municipality's obligation to provide affordable housing. Specifically, it removes lands where development is already prohibited or heavily restricted by environmental laws (like flood zones or conservation areas), agricultural preservation covenants, historic sites, or small private parcels under five housing units. Municipalities will no longer need to count these excluded lands when calculating their "fair share" of affordable housing requirements under state law. The change clarifies that lands already legally off-limits for development cannot be forced into housing projects.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Affordable Housing Property Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 83: Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt.

This bill prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of urea specifically for melting or preventing ice/snow on outdoor surfaces (e.g., sidewalks, driveways). It defines "urea" as fertilizer-based products used for de-icing but explicitly allows urea’s continued use in other applications like agriculture. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforceable by the Department of Environmental Protection or local agencies. The bill does not restrict urea’s use in any other contexts, such as fertilizer, and excludes rock salt from its provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1609: Prohibits enforcement of certain trapping violations in areas subject to law enforcement investigation.

This bill (S 1609) prevents the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection from issuing violations against trapping licensees who fail to check traps daily, if the trap is in an area under active law enforcement investigation and the licensee was instructed by police or other law enforcement to leave. It directly affects licensed trappers operating in areas where investigations (e.g., criminal activity, safety concerns) are ongoing. The key provision waives the standard requirement for daily trap checks during such investigations, as long as the trapper follows law enforcement instructions to vacate. This modifies current rules that typically mandate daily checks for traps in tidal areas and other settings. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 1815: Establishes solar energy grant program in BPU to provide grants to public schools for solar energy projects; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a $15 million solar energy grant program administered by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to help public schools and eligible educational institutions install solar projects. It provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs (including panels, installation, and permits) with no requirement for schools to contribute matching funds. Schools must report on energy savings and project use, and if a facility with a funded solar system is sold within 20 years, the new owner must reimburse the BPU a reduced percentage of the grant amount based on how long the original owner held the property. The program aims to lower schools' energy costs, boost system resiliency, and support the state's climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

All environment bills