S 2338, the "Climate Superfund Act," imposes strict liability on fossil fuel companies responsible for over one billion metric tons of covered greenhouse gas emissions during 1995-2026 (the "covered period"). It requires these companies to pay compensatory damages into a state fund managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The collected funds will finance climate change adaptation projects - such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat-resilient housing - as defined in the bill. This legislation directly affects major fossil fuel extraction and refining entities operating in New Jersey during the covered period, establishing a new cost recovery program without requiring proof of negligence.
This bill provides tax credits to businesses that purchase hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for use in their operations. Specifically, it allows a 25% credit (up to $15,000) for 2023 purchases, decreasing to 15% ($9,000) in 2024 and 8% ($5,000) in 2025. To qualify, businesses must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner confirming the vehicle meets the definition of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (powered by hydrogen cells converting chemical energy to electricity). The credits apply against corporation business tax and gross income tax, with limits preventing credits from exceeding 50% of tax liability. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
S 656 allows the New Jersey State Treasurer to appoint an acting executive director for the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) when the permanent director position remains vacant for one year or longer. The Treasurer must consult with the Environmental Protection Commissioner and Agriculture Secretary, and the acting director serves a minimum of one year at an annual cost not exceeding $150,000. This appointment does not require civil service rules, but the GSPT retains full oversight authority over the acting director. The bill directly affects GSPT operations, which manages state conservation programs for open space, farmland, and historic preservation.
S 650 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program promoting building electrification and decarbonization within one year of enactment. It directs electric utilities to develop multi-year plans meeting BPU-established greenhouse gas reduction targets, focusing on switching to efficient electric equipment like heat pumps for water/space heating, cooking, and industrial processes. Plans must be cost-effective from a societal perspective, considering environmental benefits, and include specific methods such as replacing gas systems with electric alternatives. This bill directly affects electric utilities across New Jersey and aims to reduce emissions while aligning with the state's energy master plan.
S 1203 requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create online systems for schools and child care centers to electronically submit lead testing results for drinking water. Schools and child care centers already required to test for lead (since 2016 for schools, 2017 for child care) must submit their results via these systems within 90 days of the systems' launch, with all data made publicly searchable online. The bill also mandates that DOE and DCF jointly prepare a report within two years detailing lead contamination levels, remediation needs, and state assistance recommendations. This bill directly affects schools and child care centers that conduct lead testing, aiming to improve transparency and inform remediation efforts.
This bill requires large warehouses, distribution centers, and ports generating 50+ daily truck trips to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and annually implement pollution-reduction measures. It specifically targets facilities in overburdened communities (defined by existing law) with 50,000+ square feet of business space, or all facilities with 100,000+ square feet, mandating shorter permit terms (3 years) for those in overburdened areas. The DEP must establish a program within one year to achieve zero emissions from these facilities by 2050, requiring annual compliance demonstrations and permit fees before operations begin or continue. Facilities must prove they can meet pollution reduction goals to secure or renew permits, with enforcement starting after the bill's effective date.
S 2749 requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to install at least one hydrogen refueling station at every service area on their respective toll roads (Turnpike/Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway) within two years of the law taking effect. The bill mandates that these authorities recover installation and operating costs from motorists who use the stations, based on their individual usage. It directly affects toll road users and the two transportation authorities responsible for implementing the stations. The law defines hydrogen refueling stations as facilities providing hydrogen fuel for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which produce only water vapor as emissions and refuel similarly to gasoline vehicles.
S 1739 requires New Jersey to create wildlife management plans for certain open space and farmland areas, specifically where conservation efforts are underway. It directly affects state agencies (like the Department of Environmental Protection), local governments, and nonprofit organizations using constitutionally dedicated conservation funds. The key mechanism authorizes the use of existing cigarette tax revenues (CBT funds) to pay for activities under these new wildlife management plans. This bill does not create new taxes but changes how specific conservation funds can be applied to support wildlife habitat management on preserved lands.
S 743 appropriates $58.145 million in natural resource damages funds - collected from settlements with companies like Exxon and Atlantic Richfield - to New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The funds directly support habitat restoration, land acquisition, and oversight projects across specific regions (including the Lower Delaware, Atlantic, and Raritan watersheds) and Superfund sites, as prioritized by state law. The DEP may use the money for state costs, including grants to local governments or nonprofits, and can reallocate funds with approval from the Treasury Division. The bill requires written notice of any fund reallocation to key legislative committees.
This bill (S 1630) amends New Jersey's Safe Dam Act to require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to consider potential impacts to natural resources - such as wildlife, fish, habitat, plants, and historic sites - when classifying dams based on hazard potential. Currently, DEP's classification system only considers potential loss of life and property damage. The bill mandates that the DEP update its classification criteria to include natural resource impacts alongside existing factors. This change affects dam owners (who must comply with inspection requirements) and the DEP (which must revise its classification process). The legislation does not alter dam inspection procedures but adjusts how dams are categorized by risk level.
