Environment in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 83: Prohibits sale, distribution, and use of urea as an ice melt.

This bill prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of urea specifically for melting or preventing ice/snow on outdoor surfaces (e.g., sidewalks, driveways). It defines "urea" as fertilizer-based products used for de-icing but explicitly allows urea’s continued use in other applications like agriculture. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses, enforceable by the Department of Environmental Protection or local agencies. The bill does not restrict urea’s use in any other contexts, such as fertilizer, and excludes rock salt from its provisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Water Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 1815: Establishes solar energy grant program in BPU to provide grants to public schools for solar energy projects; appropriates $15 million.

This bill creates a $15 million solar energy grant program administered by New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to help public schools and eligible educational institutions install solar projects. It provides grants covering up to 50% of eligible project costs (including panels, installation, and permits) with no requirement for schools to contribute matching funds. Schools must report on energy savings and project use, and if a facility with a funded solar system is sold within 20 years, the new owner must reimburse the BPU a reduced percentage of the grant amount based on how long the original owner held the property. The program aims to lower schools' energy costs, boost system resiliency, and support the state's climate goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Solar

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1202: Requires water purveyors to conduct, and report to DEP, water loss audits.

This bill requires water utilities (called "water purveyors") to conduct annual water loss audits and submit validated reports to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It defines "water loss" as the difference between water entering a distribution system and water measured at customer meters, including leaks, breaks, and unauthorized use. Utilities must follow American Water Works Association standards for data quality and validation when preparing these reports. The requirement directly affects all public water systems serving 25+ people daily, aiming to improve water conservation and infrastructure management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 679: "Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act"; requires certain business entities to publicize annual greenhouse gas emissions data.

New Jersey's S 679 requires large companies (with over $1 billion in annual revenue operating in the state) to annually report all greenhouse gas emissions - including direct operations (scope 1), purchased energy (scope 2), and supply chain activities (scope 3) - to a designated emissions reporting organization. Companies must provide this data with independent third-party verification and make it publicly accessible. The law aims to increase transparency for investors and residents about corporate climate impacts, as mandated by the bill's findings on climate risks. It takes effect three years after enactment, applying to businesses already operating in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Climate Change

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 412: Designates and preserves Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park as natural habitat.

This bill permanently designates the 21.5-acre Caven Point Peninsula in Liberty State Park (Jersey City, Hudson County) as protected natural habitat. It preserves the area’s coastal wetland ecosystem, critical bird breeding grounds, and urban environmental education resource by overriding previous land use rules. The designation ensures the peninsula remains undisturbed for wildlife conservation and public education. The bill directly affects only this specific peninsula within Liberty State Park, with no broader geographic or policy implications.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 313: Requires businesses that violates State environmental laws to forfeit economic development subsidies under certain circumstances.

Bill S 313 requires businesses receiving economic development subsidies (over $25,000) to forfeit a portion of those funds or pay remediation costs if they violate New Jersey’s environmental laws. Specifically, if a business causes an environmental incident (e.g., pollution discharge triggering a state violation notice), it must either forfeit 20% of its annual subsidies or cover the full "costs to address the incident" (including cleanup, relocation, and health services). This applies to for-profit entities receiving state subsidies under programs administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The bill directly affects businesses that breach environmental laws while benefiting from state economic incentives, with no political advocacy - only a clear policy mechanism for accountability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 19: Encourages Executive Branch and local government entities to use optimization modeling tools to evaluate energy policies and support sustainable, cost-effective, and health-conscious planning.

SCR 19 is a non-binding concurrent resolution encouraging New Jersey's Executive Branch and local governments to explore energy-environment-economic modeling tools for planning. It directs these entities to use such tools to evaluate energy policies, assess tradeoffs between costs, emissions, and public health impacts, and align decisions with state climate and energy goals. The resolution specifically highlights the value of models developed by New Jersey public universities to support data-driven local planning. This is a procedural recommendation, not a law requiring specific actions.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 346: Extends for five years expiration date of special appraisal process for Green Acres program and farmland preservation program for lands in Highlands Region.

This bill extends the special appraisal process for land acquisitions under New Jersey's Green Acres program and farmland preservation efforts in the Highlands Region through 2029 (from 2024). It requires state agencies, local governments, and qualified nonprofits to use a specific two-part appraisal method when purchasing land for conservation: comparing current land values against those from 2004, then using the higher value for negotiations with landowners. The process applies only to lands continuously owned since 2004 (or by immediate family) within the Highlands Region, and does not affect federal-funded acquisitions. This extension ensures consistency in land valuation for these conservation programs without altering their funding or scope.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 626: Establishes Nuclear Power Advisory Commission.

S 626 establishes a 9-member Nuclear Power Advisory Commission within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. The commission must study nuclear energy's role in the state's energy future, specifically examining its value as a reliable zero-emission power source for climate goals, impacts of plant closures on grid reliability and electricity costs, emerging small-scale nuclear technologies, and other states' nuclear policies. The commission, including ex-officio members and six gubernatorial appointees representing nuclear plants, academia, environmental groups, business, and labor, must submit a report within 18 months. The bill expires 30 days after the report is submitted.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Nuclear

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 635: Requires HMFA to establish "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" in three regions of State; appropriates $5 million.

S 635 establishes a three-year "Sustainable Tiny Home Pilot Program" through New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), appropriating $5 million to fund construction of tiny homes (under 300 sq ft) in three regions of the state. The program awards annual grants totaling $1.65 million to builders who construct tiny home developments meeting green building standards, with requirements to report recycled construction waste and energy-efficient features. It directly affects builders, selected municipalities (chosen based on zoning flexibility and community interest), and future residents seeking affordable, low-emission housing. The bill aims to reduce carbon emissions (tiny homes emit ~2,000 lbs CO2 annually vs. 28,000 lbs for standard homes) and construction waste, aligning with climate goals.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Climate Change Housing Finance Mortgages Zoning

All environment bills