Environment in New Jersey

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

A 1141: Requires DEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create a statewide plan within one year to reduce public exposure to lead in soil and drinking water. The plan must use existing soil test data from cleanup sites, public water testing, and private well results to identify high-risk geographic areas and prioritize public funds for remediation. It also mandates the DEP to develop a public education program about lead health risks and prevention measures. The plan must be posted online, submitted to the legislature, and updated every five years.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 24, 2026

A 4454: Establishes abandoned mine reclamation program in DEP.

This bill creates a new Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to address safety and environmental risks from abandoned mines. The program requires the DEP to develop a detailed plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening structures or water quality), and ranking reclamation projects by priority and cost. The DEP can implement reclamation through its own work, contracts with private firms, or grants to local governments or landowners, while seeking federal funding. Property owners must allow DEP access for reclamation work after notice (with accommodations for timing), but the bill explicitly prohibits requiring landowners to pay for these efforts. This directly affects residents living near abandoned mines and property owners in affected areas.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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

A 163: Prohibits adoption of State and local rules that prohibit use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances.

This bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies, counties, and municipalities from adopting rules or ordinances that ban the installation or use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances (like natural gas stoves) in residential or commercial kitchens, provided the appliances meet existing federal and state safety standards. It does not prevent voluntary programs that incentivize switching to electric appliances. The bill directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses that might face local restrictions on gas appliances. It is currently pending in the Assembly Environment Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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

A 2861: "Energy Security and Affordability Act"; requires BPU to consider energy security, diversity, and affordability when preparing Energy Master Plan and perform economic and ratepayer impact analysis of energy generation projects and Energy Master Plan.

This bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to prioritize energy security, diversity, and affordability when creating the state's Energy Master Plan. It mandates the BPU to limit variable energy sources (like solar and wind) to no more than 50% of the state's energy portfolio and conduct detailed economic and ratepayer impact analyses for all major energy projects and the Master Plan itself. These analyses must break down costs, include public comment periods, and be published online for 10 years. The bill directly affects the BPU, energy companies seeking project approvals, and ratepayers through these new transparency and analysis requirements.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 19, 2026

S 3629: The "New Jersey Town Center Microgrid Pilot Program Act."

S 3629 creates a pilot program allowing eligible New Jersey municipalities (called "pilot agencies") to develop microgrids that provide backup power to critical facilities like hospitals or emergency centers during outages. The bill enables these municipalities to partner with developers through 20-year power purchase agreements, subject to approval by the Division of Local Government Services and the Board of Public Utilities. Key provisions include requiring microgrids to use non-diesel distributed energy resources (like solar or storage) and ensuring the systems can operate independently from the main grid. This directly affects participating municipalities and the critical facilities they serve by improving local power resilience.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Solar

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

A 266: Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt.

New Jersey's A 266 bill would ban selling, distributing, or using urea (a fertilizer-like substance) specifically for melting ice on sidewalks, roads, or other outdoor surfaces. It does not restrict urea's other uses, such as farming, and explicitly excludes rock salt from the definition of "urea" for this purpose. Violations could result in fines up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by environmental or local agencies. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee as of its January 2026 introduction.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1337: Permits fire departments to use certain Class B firefighting foam for one year after prohibition takes effect.

This bill amends New Jersey's law banning PFAS in firefighting foam to extend use for specific facilities. Fixed foam system owners (for class B fires) may continue using PFAS foam until four years after the original law's effective date, and oil refineries may use it for large tank fire suppression until eight years after that date. Both extensions require annual reporting on foam use, containment measures to prevent environmental release, and detailed transition plans to PFAS-free alternatives. Refineries can apply for up to two-year waivers beyond the eight-year period if they prove no commercially available PFAS-free alternatives exist for their specific fire suppression needs.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4046: Extends initial and renewal terms of certain property agreements between local governments and nonprofit organizations for recreation and conservation purposes.

This bill extends the maximum initial and renewal terms for property leases between local governments (municipalities, counties) and nonprofit organizations (like land conservancies) from five to seven years. It applies specifically to agreements for recreation and conservation purposes, such as managing public parks or natural areas. The bill also codifies existing rules allowing longer terms - up to 25 years with "good cause" documentation or over 25 years with approvals from the Environmental Protection Commissioner and State House Commission. These changes aim to provide more stability for long-term conservation projects while maintaining current approval pathways.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SCR 106: Determines that DEP's "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules, adopted January 20, 2026, are inconsistent with legislative intent.

This concurrent resolution (SCR 106) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) "Protecting Against Climate Threats" rules - adopted January 20, 2026, and known as NJPACT-REAL - are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution argues the DEP overstepped its authority by adopting these rules without explicit legislative approval, as the DEP claimed authority under outdated laws that never intended to cover climate regulations. The rules significantly expand flood hazard areas, restrict development rights for property owners, and impact housing costs and property values. This resolution does not change the rules but formally states the Legislature’s position that the DEP must await future legislative action on climate policy.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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

A 173: Provides gross income tax deduction for amounts paid to taxpayers for sale of certain real property interests for conservation purposes.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers a state income tax deduction equal to the capital gain realized from selling certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations. It directly affects landowners who sell property (either at full market value or for less than full value in a "bargain sale") to groups preserving land through programs like Green Acres, farmland preservation, or wildlife conservation. The deduction covers the profit from the sale portion, with specific rules for allocating costs in bargain sales where part is treated as a charitable donation. The policy aligns with federal tax treatment for conservation donations and applies to sales benefiting conservation programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Conservation Wildlife

All environment bills