Energy in New Jersey | MyRepTracker

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4717: Requires BPU to prohibit electric and gas public utilities from charging residential customers certain types of payments based on certain billing practices.

This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to mandate that electric and gas utilities offer equal payment plans to residential customers, which spread utility costs into consistent monthly installments. It prohibits utilities from charging lump-sum payments when actual usage exceeds forecasts and bans the practice of underbilling, which occurs when bills are based on estimates rather than actual meter readings. The legislation also prevents utilities from adding outstanding balance differences from estimated bills to future charges and restricts monthly bill adjustments to annual updates based solely on usage data. These changes aim to provide more predictable and stable utility billing for home and business energy consumers.

Topics ✓ Energy

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

A 4528: 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 allow the Department of Environmental Protection commissioner to approve nuclear facility permits even without a permanent federal high-level radioactive waste repository. The legislation removes a statutory barrier that currently prevents permit approval for new nuclear facilities pending federal waste storage solutions, arguing that on-site dry cask storage is proven to be secure and effective. Key provisions require the commissioner to ensure that proposed nuclear facilities use safe radioactive waste storage methods that conform to Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards and effectively protect public health and the environment. The bill aims to facilitate the construction and operation of advanced nuclear reactors to provide reliable, zero-emission baseload energy for New Jersey's growing electricity demand.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Nuclear

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 16, 2026

A 4718: Requires public utilities de-privatization study; appropriates $100,000.

This bill requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to hire an independent third party to study the feasibility and potential cost savings of returning public utilities to public ownership. The study will examine options such as full or partial acquisition by state entities, joint ownership arrangements, and the financial and environmental impacts on ratepayers and the state budget. Utilities and public agencies must cooperate with the study by providing requested information, and the board must submit a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The legislation also appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to cover the cost of conducting this study.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Utility Regulation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 3746: Requires BPU to develop program to promote certain energy businesses in State.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities to create a program promoting women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, and LGBTQ-owned energy businesses. The program would use public information campaigns, marketing, advertising, and incentives to encourage businesses and public entities to purchase energy from these certified companies. The bill sets specific targets for the percentage of energy sourced from these businesses, starting at five percent in the first year and increasing to 25 percent by the fourth year. To qualify, energy businesses must be certified by appropriate state or national organizations and meet registration requirements. The Board of Public Utilities and public utilities must track progress and post lists of approved businesses on their websites.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4621: Permits certain entities to operate unmanned aircraft systems to inspect damage to critical infrastructure.

This bill allows public utilities, cable television companies, and telecommunications service providers in New Jersey to use drones to inspect and maintain their critical infrastructure. It requires the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to create rules permitting these operations, provided they follow federal aviation laws. The legislation also allows these companies to hire third-party contractors to operate the drones under state and federal regulations, aiming to help quickly identify and repair damaged infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Telecommunications Airports

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4626: Requires electric public utilities to conduct wellness checks in age-restricted communities during power outages.

This New Jersey bill requires electric public utilities to perform wellness checks on residents in age-restricted communities who rely on powered medical devices during power outages. The law mandates that utilities create confidential registries of these residents and prioritize restoring power to them within one hour of an outage. If power cannot be restored within four hours, utilities must conduct wellness checks and provide backup power supplies or assist with relocation if needed. The bill also requires utilities to collaborate with county officials, emergency services, and healthcare providers to carry out these checks.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3964: Requires public utilities to provide Energy Star-rated product and appliance rebates at time of sale.

This bill requires public utilities in New Jersey that offer rebate programs for Energy Star-rated home products and appliances to allow customers to receive the rebate amount directly deducted from the purchase price at the time of sale. The legislation applies to utilities administering rebate programs approved by the Board of Public Utilities as part of their energy efficiency or peak demand reduction initiatives. Utilities retain the authority to set specific eligibility requirements for which products qualify for rebates under this program. The change aims to simplify the rebate process for consumers by eliminating the need for separate reimbursement applications.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 3838: Establishes "Community Power Storage Program."

This bill creates the Community Power Storage Program in New Jersey, allowing electricity customers to join remote energy storage projects within their utility service area and receive bill credits equal to the power those projects discharge. The Board of Public Utilities must develop rules within 210 days to set project limits of up to five megawatts each, aim for 2,000 megawatts of total capacity by 2034, prioritize urban and industrial sites, and ensure access for low- and moderate-income residents. Electric utilities participating in the program will be allowed to recover implementation costs, while the board must publish project information online and submit annual reports on the program's performance to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

passed · New Jersey · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SR 85: Condemns EPA rule rescinding greenhouse gas endangerment finding and repealing greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles.

This Senate Resolution condemns a federal Environmental Protection Agency rule that removes greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and engines. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents by formally opposing a decision that eliminates regulations designed to reduce air pollution from transportation. It argues that the EPA's action lacks scientific support and undermines efforts to address climate change impacts like sea-level rise and extreme weather. The resolution calls for maintaining existing standards under the Clean Air Act to protect public health and the environment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 4635: Authorizes construction, installation, and operation of solar energy generating facilities, structures, and equipment on preserved farmland, in certain cases, pursuant to lease agreement executed between landowner and solar developer.

This bill allows solar energy facilities to be built on preserved farmland in New Jersey through lease agreements between landowners and solar developers. It permits these installations as long as they do not significantly interfere with farming activities and include specific requirements for lease terms, maintenance responsibilities, and land restoration after the lease ends. The legislation sets limits on how much energy can be generated and requires approval from a state committee before construction begins. Landowners must also ensure the solar equipment is used to power the farm or reduce energy costs through net metering programs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

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