Energy (Wind) in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 5002: Removes certain construction and property interest rights for offshore wind projects and BPU authority to supersede certain local government powers related to offshore wind development.

This bill modifies New Jersey's offshore wind regulations by removing specific construction and property rights for these projects and limiting the Board of Public Utilities' ability to override local government decisions. It requires developers to submit extensive applications detailing project designs, financial plans, job creation impacts, and environmental effects before approval. The legislation focuses on streamlining the review process while ensuring comprehensive data is provided to assess the economic and environmental consequences of offshore wind development.

Topics ✗ Energy

Sub-Topics Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4859: Specifies that prior SADC approval is not required in order to authorize construction, installation, or operation of biomass, solar, or wind energy generating facilities, structures, or equipment on farmland preservation exception areas.

This New Jersey bill allows landowners of preserved farms to build and operate biomass, solar, or wind energy facilities without needing prior approval from the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC). The legislation permits these projects on both preserved and non-preserved parts of the farm, provided they do not significantly interfere with agricultural production and are owned or eventually owned by the landowner. Key restrictions limit the energy generation capacity to the farm's previous year's demand plus 10 percent or one percent of the total farm area, and require that any energy sold be done through net metering. While the bill removes the need for initial SADC approval for the entire project, it still mandates a review process specifically for facilities located on the preserved portion of the farm to ensure compliance with agricultural and environmental standards.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 4, 2026

A 4688: Excludes biomass, solar, and wind energy systems located on rooftops or exception areas from certain size restrictions applicable to preserved farmland.*

This bill allows owners of preserved farmland in New Jersey to install biomass, solar, and wind energy systems on rooftops, unpreserved farmland, or designated exception areas without being subject to certain size restrictions that normally apply to preserved farmland. The legislation permits these energy facilities as long as they do not significantly interfere with agricultural production, are owned by the landowner, and are used to power the farm or reduce its energy costs through net metering. Landowners must still obtain approval from a committee before construction, and the committee must consider input from development easement holders before making a decision. The bill also requires that energy generated from these facilities be sold only through net metering or similar agreements, and it mandates that projects in the Pinelands area comply with existing Pinelands Protection Act standards.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 3958: Excludes biomass, solar, and wind energy systems located on rooftops, unpreserved farmland, or exception areas from certain size restrictions applicable to preserved farmland.

This bill allows owners of preserved farmland in New Jersey to install biomass, solar, and wind energy systems on rooftops, unpreserved farmland, or exception areas without being subject to certain size restrictions that apply to preserved farmland. The legislation permits these energy systems provided they do not significantly interfere with agricultural use, are owned by the landowner, and are used to power the farm or reduce energy costs through net metering. Energy generation capacity is limited to either the farm's previous year's energy demand plus 10 percent or one percent of the total farm area, with exceptions for rooftop and unpreserved land installations. Landowners must obtain committee approval before construction, and the committee must notify easement holders and make decisions within 90 days without charging fees.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2855: Requires offshore wind project escrow funds to be remitted to BPU for certain ratepayer relief.

This bill requires New Jersey to redirect unspent funds from a 2024 settlement with Orsted (the company behind canceled offshore wind projects) to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). These funds - specifically unexpended, unencumbered, or unobligated money from the settlement - must be used by the BPU to provide ratepayer relief to electricity customers. The BPU will determine the exact timeline, method, and form of this relief through a rulemaking process. The bill does not create new policy but mandates the use of existing settlement funds to lower electricity costs for consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Utility Regulation Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 907: Prohibits collecting of certain costs associated with offshore wind projects from ratepayers.

This bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from charging ratepayers (electricity/gas bill payers) for certain costs related to offshore wind projects. It directly affects residential and business customers who pay utility bills by preventing utilities from passing these specific project expenses through their rates. The key mechanism is a legal restriction requiring utilities to absorb these costs internally rather than collecting them from customers. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee after introduction in 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2707: "Restore Local Offshore Wind Control Act"; prohibits construction of certain offshore wind project infrastructure without local governmental approval.

This bill, the "Restore Local Offshore Wind Control Act," requires offshore wind project developers to obtain written approval from local governments (such as counties or municipalities) before installing or maintaining infrastructure like power lines on public streets, rights-of-way, or land owned by those governments. Developers must first apply to the Board of Public Utilities for land access rights, triggering a public hearing, after which the local government has 90 days to approve or deny the request. The law aims to give communities more control over projects that could impact property values, noise levels, or local aesthetics, while requiring developers to cover all costs for the approval process. It does not change existing project approval requirements but adds a new local review step for infrastructure placement.

Topics ✗ Energy

Sub-Topics Wind

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 887: Prohibits EDA from issuing subsidies for wind energy projects.

This bill prohibits the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) from providing any financial assistance - including grants, loans, tax credits, or other subsidies - to wind energy projects. It directly affects wind energy developers who would have sought EDA funding for project development or operations. The key mechanism removes wind energy projects from eligibility under the EDA’s existing funding allocation for renewable energy, specifically deleting references to "qualified offshore wind projects" from the 60% funding allocation meant for energy efficiency and renewable projects. This change shifts EDA funding priorities away from wind energy toward other renewable and energy efficiency initiatives. The bill also repeals prior provisions that allowed wind project subsidies.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Appropriations Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Wind

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 627: Codifies certain energy goals related to 2019 Energy Master Plan.

S 627 codifies New Jersey’s 2019 Energy Master Plan goals into law, setting binding targets for 2025-2035. It requires state agencies (like the Department of Treasury and NJ Transit) to adopt electric vehicle fleets (50% by 2025), mandates 35% renewable electricity by 2025 (rising to 50% by 2030), and sets offshore wind generation goals (3.5 GW by 2030, 7.5 GW by 2035). Commercial buildings over 25,000 square feet must track energy/water use annually using EPA tools, and state agencies must report to the Legislature on progress via annual DEP reports. These requirements directly affect state agencies, utilities, the Port Authority, and large commercial building owners.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Wind Electric Vehicles Ports

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 638: Establishes NJ Wind Institute for Innovation and Training.

This bill creates the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training to support the state's offshore wind industry. The Institute will focus on workforce training, education, research, and innovation - prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion - to help New Jersey meet its goal of generating 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035. Governed by a nine-member board (including state agency heads and appointed public members with relevant expertise), the Institute will operate independently within the Department of the Treasury. It directly affects workers, educational institutions, and clean energy businesses in New Jersey by developing skills and resources for the growing offshore wind sector.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Wind Workforce Development

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