This bill, the "Energy Cost Reduction Act" (A4018), exempts residential customers in New Jersey from paying state sales and use tax on natural gas and electricity purchases. It requires utilities to automatically remove the tax amount from each customer’s monthly bill instead of charging it. The law applies directly to households using these utilities for home heating, cooling, and power, providing immediate tax relief on those essential services. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment, with the Division of Taxation and Board of Public Utilities developing implementation rules.
This bill (A-706) prohibits New Jersey public utilities from filing requests for rate increases when the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) is either investigating whether the utility exceeded its authorized profit margin or has ordered a base rate case to review that. It requires the BPU to block any rate hike request during these active investigations or proceedings, continuing until the case or investigation concludes. This directly affects regulated utilities (like gas, electric, water companies) seeking to raise rates while under scrutiny. The law amends existing utility rate regulations to enforce this temporary freeze on rate increases during regulatory reviews.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create an "Interim Alternative ZEV Compliance Program" within one year of enactment. It directly affects vehicle manufacturers selling new cars in New Jersey by offering a flexible alternative to strict zero-emission vehicle sales quotas for model years 2027-2031. Under this program, manufacturers can comply by offering dealers a portfolio of required zero-emission vehicles based on consumer demand, without mandating specific vehicle purchases. The rules also provide manufacturers with legal protection against penalties for noncompliance with traditional sales targets during this transition period.
This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a rebate program for residents purchasing new low-speed electric bicycles meeting specific safety standards (ANSI/CAN/UL 2849). Rebates cover up to $2,000 or 50% of the bike's price (minimum $1,000 purchase), but only for in-person purchases made by New Jersey residents. The program, funded by $1 million from an existing societal benefits charge, aims to reduce vehicle emissions by encouraging e-bike use for short trips. The BPU will determine eligible bike types, application processes, and additional program requirements.
This bill establishes renewable energy portfolio standards requiring electric power suppliers and basic generation service providers in New Jersey to source increasing percentages of electricity from renewable sources. Specifically, it mandates 2.5% from Class II renewables (like biomass) and requires Class I renewables (including solar, wind, and hydro) to reach 21% by 2020, 35% by 2025, and 50% by 2030. The bill also requires suppliers to disclose fuel mix and emissions data on customer bills and caps customer costs for Class I renewable requirements at 9% of electricity costs through 2021, then 7% annually after. These requirements apply directly to energy suppliers and indirectly affect all electricity customers in the state. (Note: The bill’s title references a "Neighborhood Solar Energy Investment Program," but the actual provisions focus on broader renewable portfolio standards and disclosure rules, not a specific solar program.)
This bill establishes New Jersey's "Community Power Storage Program," allowing electric utility customers to receive bill credits for participating in remote energy storage projects within their service area. The Board of Public Utilities must create rules within 210 days, including a 5-megawatt cap per project, a goal of 2,000 megawatts of storage by 2034, and requirements to prioritize urban areas and industrial sites. The program mandates low-income customer access, minimum customer participation (two per project), and standards for project connections and bill credit values. Utilities can recover implementation costs, and the Board must report annually on the program's effectiveness.
This bill requires developers of certain affordable housing projects to meet specific green building standards. It applies to new inclusionary affordable housing developments and existing units undergoing major renovations, mandating compliance with Energy Star standards for construction and renovation. Key provisions include using LED lighting with occupancy sensors, requiring Energy Star-rated appliances, incorporating solar facilities where feasible (with a formal exemption process), and implementing features like EV charging stations and native landscaping. Developers must also test soil for contamination before new construction on inclusionary housing sites. These requirements aim to reduce energy use and environmental impact in affordable housing developments.
This bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons of food waste annually within 25 miles of a recycling facility) to continue sending their food waste to sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy, if they were already doing so as of April 14, 2020. Generators using this method remain compliant with existing recycling requirements without switching to authorized recycling facilities. The bill maintains standard recycling rules for other generators and includes a waiver process if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10 percent. It also preserves penalties for non-compliance and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to publish facility details.
New Jersey's Assembly Bill A4041 establishes a 11-member "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" within the Department of Environmental Protection. The task force will study safe methods for storing, reusing, recycling, and disposing of used EV batteries, including analyzing current recycling facilities, international policies, and second-life battery applications. It must develop recommendations for state legislation, programs, and infrastructure by a two-year deadline, holding public hearings across the state. The bill directly affects EV manufacturers, battery recyclers, state environmental agencies, and future EV battery management policies.
This bill creates tax credits for businesses constructing new buildings in New Jersey that meet specific environmental standards. It provides credits against corporation business tax and gross income tax for buildings certified at LEED Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels (based on energy efficiency, water use, and sustainable materials). Eligible buildings include large residential complexes (10,000+ sq ft) or commercial/industrial structures, with credit amounts tied to building size and certification level. To claim the credit, businesses must obtain certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner and comply with annual reporting requirements, subject to a $10 million annual cap on total credits.
