Energy

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 1072: Direct BPU to establish certain incentive programs for energy storage and management.**

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and electric utilities to establish a program developing 500 megawatts of distributed battery storage capacity statewide by 2030. It mandates the BPU to set minimum program requirements, including specific storage targets per utility, size standards, and enhanced incentives for projects in overburdened communities and redevelopment areas. Electric utilities must submit implementation plans to the BPU for approval, with annual reporting to ensure compliance and cost savings for ratepayers. The program aims to improve grid stability, reduce interconnection times, and lower system costs by leveraging federal funding and avoiding distribution upgrades.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 500MW distributed battery storage by 2030, promoting renewable energy infrastructure and equitable access in overburdened communities via BPU requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 3183: Modifies various provisions of State's renewable energy incentive programs; requires electric public utilities to consider interconnection applications for certain solar projects.*

This bill modifies New Jersey's renewable energy incentive programs to support solar development on specific sites. It allows multiple solar projects to co-locate on the same or adjacent properties (without size limits) for community solar and remote net metering programs, and removes size restrictions for solar projects on landfills, brownfields, contaminated sites, or mining sites. Electric utilities must process interconnection applications for community solar or remote net metering projects on 34.5kV or lower voltage lines. Projects on designated sites must achieve commercial operation within 33 months (automatically extended for utility-caused delays), with the timeline starting from program registration.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves size limits for solar projects on landfills/brownfields and requires utilities to interconnect community solar, advancing renewable energy development per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed both · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2368: "Garden State Balcony Solar Act"; exempts portable solar generation devices from certain requirements, and requires certain entities to allow use and installation of portable solar generation devices.**

This bill exempts small portable solar devices (under 1,200 watts) from standard utility requirements. It directly affects homeowners using these devices, which connect via standard 120V outlets and meet electrical safety standards. Key provisions remove the need for interconnection agreements, net metering program rules, utility approval, or fees. Utilities cannot charge for these devices or require additional equipment beyond what’s built-in. The bill also shields utilities from liability for customer use of these devices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts small portable solar devices from utility requirements, removing barriers to consumer adoption of renewable energy without requiring approvals or fees.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 23, 2026

A 3735: "Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act"; imposes cost recovery payments on certain fossil fuel companies for funds needed for climate change adaptation; establishes program in DEP to collect and oversee distribution of funds.**

The Climate Superfund Act (A 3735) holds fossil fuel companies liable for climate change damages by requiring them to pay compensatory payments into a state fund. Companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels during 1995-2026 and emitted over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases must pay based on their proportional liability, with joint liability for companies in a "controlled group." Funds collected will be distributed to implement climate adaptation projects, such as flood protection, infrastructure upgrades, and health programs in overburdened communities. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the Climate Superfund Cost Recovery Program to manage payments and fund these projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill imposes liability on fossil fuel companies for climate damages, reducing their influence and redirecting funds to climate adaptation projects, aligning with reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentHolds fossil fuel companies liable for climate damages, funds adaptation projects like flood protection, directly advancing environmental protection and climate resilience.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 18, 2026

A 804: Requires BPU to report societal benefits charge revenues and expenditures to Governor and Legislature.*

This bill requires New Jersey's Governor to include a detailed annual report in the budget message about revenues and spending from the "societal benefits charge" on utility bills. The report must show, for each of the past five fiscal years and the current year, how much was collected from electricity and gas customers, and how those funds were spent - specifically for energy efficiency programs, low-income energy assistance, plug-in electric vehicle incentives, and other approved initiatives. It also mandates itemized breakdowns of funds allocated by each utility company. The goal is to increase transparency about how this charge, embedded in customer bills, finances state energy and assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual reporting on societal benefits charge revenues/expenditures, enhancing fiscal transparency for energy efficiency and assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires reporting on funds for energy efficiency, low-income assistance, and EV incentives - directly advancing clean energy initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 2127: Prohibits certain public utilities from charging residents of multi-unit dwellings meter-reading fees in certain circumstances.

This bill (A2127) prohibits electric and gas public utilities in New Jersey from charging residential tenants in multi-unit dwellings (like apartments) a meter-reading fee that exceeds the actual cost of their electricity or gas usage for a billing cycle. It specifically targets fees charged to customers who have opted out of smart meter installation and require manual meter readings. The law sets a clear cap: utilities cannot charge more for manual readings than the customer’s regular utility usage cost. This applies directly to renters in shared housing who choose manual metering, ensuring fees align with actual consumption rather than arbitrary charges.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill protects consumers by capping utility meter-reading fees at actual usage costs, reducing unnecessary charges for residents in multi-unit dwellings.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents excessive utility fees on tenants in multi-unit housing, strengthening tenant financial protections within housing policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · New Jersey · Senate Apr 8, 2026

S 3870: Modifies certain CAFRA permit review requirements for nuclear facilities.

This bill modifies permit review requirements under New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act to address nuclear energy facilities. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner to evaluate whether a nuclear facility's radioactive waste storage and disposal methods are safe, comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards, and do not endanger life or the environment. Currently, the commissioner only assesses waste disposal, but this change expands the review to include storage methods as well. The bill applies specifically to nuclear energy generation facilities operating in the state. No fiscal impact is expected from this legislative change.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill strengthens nuclear energy facility oversight by expanding permit review requirements to ensure safe radioactive waste storage and disposal, protecting energy infrastructure and public safety.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring DEP to evaluate nuclear facility waste storage safety and environmental impact under CAFRA, expanding regulatory oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 24, 2026

A 4529: Modifies certain requirements for transmission-scale energy storage procurement under BPU incentive program.

This bill modifies how New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities procures and incentivizes large-scale energy storage systems, primarily affecting developers and utilities seeking to build transmission-scale storage facilities. It establishes a two-phase program requiring projects to meet specific readiness milestones, such as completing interconnection studies with PJM or securing capacity rights, while setting a goal of awarding incentives for at least 1,000 MW of storage capacity by December 2026. The legislation also outlines application requirements, including proof of site control, permit acquisition plans, financial capability, and safety assurances, with a requirement that at least 350 MW be approved in the first phase by December 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes incentives for transmission-scale energy storage, advancing clean energy infrastructure and energy grid reliability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent