This New Jersey bill increases tax credits for corporations conducting research. It raises the credit rate from 10% to 15% for businesses primarily operating in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, and advanced technology. It also increases the basic research payment credit rate to 15% and allows the total credit to be refundable (meaning businesses can receive cash payments even if they owe no tax). The law applies to corporations in industries identified by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, including innovation-focused sectors such as autonomous vehicles, hemp processing, and digital media.
This bill establishes the New Jersey Energy Independence Bank as an independent subsidiary of the Economic Development Authority (EDA), renaming the existing New Jersey Green Bank (created in 2024). It directs the bank to provide financing, loan guarantees, and other financial support for eligible environmental projects - including renewable energy facilities, energy efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle infrastructure - primarily targeting municipalities, small businesses, and commercial entities (not direct residential lending). The bank must operate with a separate board of directors (with majority independence from the EDA) and maintain distinct financial records to ensure operational independence. The measure aims to leverage public funds to attract private investment in clean energy projects across New Jersey.
This bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) to include commercial farms, allowing farm owners to apply for and receive energy efficiency incentives they were previously excluded from. It requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture to establish a program helping farm owners conduct energy audits to identify efficiency improvements. The BPU must also publish all available farm-specific incentives and audit program details on its website. This directly affects commercial farm owners by providing access to existing state energy funding for upgrades to their buildings and equipment.
This bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a two-year grant program using funds from the societal benefits charge. It provides grants to individuals, businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions to develop innovative technologies for pilot projects at publicly-owned drinking water and wastewater systems. These projects must implement new technology (not routine upgrades) to improve water quality, flow, purification, conservation, energy efficiency, or infrastructure - specifically prioritizing renewable energy solutions like in-pipe hydropower. The BPU must evaluate proposals, coordinate with systems, and report annually on funded projects and their statewide potential. The program expires 25 months after enactment.
This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study on wave and tidal energy potential within 12 months of a pilot project. The study must evaluate environmental impacts, economic benefits, grid reliability, and potential incentive programs (like renewable energy credits) to support ocean energy development. It directs the BPU to establish goals for wave and tidal energy as part of the state's clean energy strategy, aiming to position New Jersey as a national leader. The findings will be reported to the Governor and Legislature within 15 months, with recommendations for future policy actions. This affects state energy planning and future development of ocean-based renewable energy infrastructure.
This bill establishes an Office of Financial Assistance within New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help small businesses access public financial assistance. It directly affects eligible entities - companies with under 225 NJ-based employees in tech or green energy sectors (like biotech, renewable energy, or IT) - by streamlining their access to state and federal grants, loans, and tax credits. The key mechanism is a new common online application platform that lets businesses identify all available programs, store required documents for reuse, apply to multiple programs simultaneously, and track application status. The EDA office will develop this platform and provide technical support to help businesses navigate the application process.
S 3576, the "Zero Energy Construction Act," requires all new residential and commercial buildings in New Jersey to be constructed as "zero energy ready" starting January 1, 2027. This means buildings must be designed to be highly energy-efficient and capable of meeting their energy needs through on-site renewable power (like solar panels). Developers must offer zero energy construction to potential buyers during sales negotiations, disclose associated costs and energy savings, and provide information about available incentives. The state will also maintain online resources detailing environmental benefits and financial incentives for zero energy buildings.
This bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons annually) to dispose of source-separated food waste at sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy production, instead of sending it to dedicated recycling facilities. It applies to generators within 25 miles of a recycling facility who choose this alternative path, requiring landfills to deliver gas to facilities generating Class I renewable energy or renewable natural gas meeting quality standards. The policy expands disposal options while maintaining the core requirement for source separation. Generators must continue this disposal method to remain compliant, with waivers available if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10% or more.
This bill creates a $1 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support business accelerators and incubators. The program provides funding to organizations that help early-stage companies developing technology in specific fields, including clean energy, life sciences, biotechnology, advanced materials, and manufacturing. Grants can cover costs related to low-cost workspace, technical assistance, and other support services offered to these companies. The program uses $1 million in existing societal benefits charge revenues, directly benefiting business support networks and the startups they serve across targeted technology sectors.
This bill establishes a program within New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to support the development of advanced nuclear energy projects. It defines "advanced nuclear reactors" as those with specific improvements over current technology, including enhanced safety, reduced waste, better integration with renewable energy, and modular design. The program requires projects to be approved by the BPU and includes a new "advanced nuclear development charge" to cover eligible construction costs, with rules for managing unforeseen cost increases. It also creates a certification system for electricity generated, ensuring it meets environmental and reliability standards for qualified projects.
