Maddy summaryS 2318 establishes a low-carbon transportation fuel standard program in New Jersey, requiring gasoline and diesel refiners, wholesalers, importers, and alternative fuel producers (who choose to participate) to meet annual carbon intensity standards for transportation fuels. The program mandates a 10% reduction in the average carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, measured using the GREET model to assess life-cycle emissions. It creates a credit-trading system where producers of low-carbon fuels earn tradable credits to offset deficits from higher-carbon fuels, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection. This directly affects fuel suppliers and producers, aiming to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions while incentivizing cleaner fuel markets.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all new residential buildings in New Jersey to install smart thermostats (defined as internet-connected devices, commonly called "wi-fi thermostats") in every residential unit. Builders must include these provisions in construction permit applications to be approved. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, with the Board of Public Utilities, will create energy efficiency standards for these thermostats through regulations. The requirement would take effect seven months after the bill becomes law. This directly affects new home construction projects and developers seeking building permits.
Maddy summarySJR 18 designates the first week of May each year as "Composting Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the week with activities promoting composting. It highlights composting's benefits - such as enriching soil, conserving water (reducing usage by up to 30%), reducing landfill waste (which makes up ~30% of landfill material), and mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. The resolution is purely symbolic, with no new requirements or funding, and aligns with existing state climate initiatives like Executive Order No. 221.
Maddy summarySCR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment banning new fossil fuel power plants (burning coal, natural gas, oil, or petroleum) for electricity generation in New Jersey. It would not apply to repairs of existing plants or to "peaking power plants" operating at low capacity (10% or less) during peak demand periods to stabilize the grid. The amendment defines key terms like "base load" (minimum daily electricity needs) and "peak demand" to clarify exemptions. This policy change requires voter approval to take effect and would directly affect developers planning new fossil fuel facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to study and implement technical solutions that enable more distributed energy sources - like rooftop solar and small-scale storage - to connect to the electrical grid. Specifically, it directs the BPU to evaluate methods such as allowing electricity flow between grid segments, requiring solar inverters to manage "reactive power" (non-working electricity due to waveform misalignment), and enabling weather-responsive solar output control. Within one year, the BPU must submit a report with recommendations, followed by pilot programs to test solutions before potential statewide rollout. The bill directly affects grid operators, renewable energy developers, and homeowners with solar systems by streamlining interconnection processes.
Maddy summaryS 612 amends New Jersey law to allow local law enforcement officers, upon request by a municipal governing body and after training/approval by the Division of Fish and Wildlife, to serve as "authorized agents" for implementing alternative deer control methods. It directly affects municipalities, county boards of agriculture, airport owners, and local law enforcement by expanding who can execute approved deer management plans. The key mechanism requires communities to submit detailed plans (including safety measures, landowner consent, and public notification) to the Division for review, which may then be submitted to the Fish and Game Council for final approval. The bill does not change existing deer control methods but specifically authorizes trained officers to use them, alongside traditional approaches like controlled hunting or fertility control.
Maddy summaryS 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.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric utilities in New Jersey to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) before starting new transmission lines or modifying existing ones. It directly affects electric public utilities that transmit electricity within the state, excluding projects already approved by PJM Interconnection. Utilities must submit applications with required information and pay a fee, and the BPU must review them within 150 days (extendable by 75 days) to ensure projects are necessary, cost-effective, and financially feasible for customers. The BPU will then issue an order authorizing construction and setting completion timelines.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and local government entities) to make a good faith effort to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), which sources products from approved rehabilitation facilities. The CNA is granted the right of first refusal for these purchases, meaning state entities must consider the CNA before other vendors. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Division of Purchase and Property establish mandatory training protocols for purchasing agents, requiring new hires to complete training and renewing it every two years. The bill also requires regular reporting to track compliance with the 5% procurement goal and training requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 625, streamlines zoning approvals for small electric battery storage equipment in New Jersey. It directly affects homeowners (allowing residential installations as a permitted accessory use without special permits) and businesses (exempting commercial/industrial installations from site plan reviews or variances). Key provisions require municipalities to approve qualifying applications within 20 days if complete, mandate compliance with existing safety codes, and direct the state to publish a model ordinance for installation standards. The bill removes local barriers to battery storage deployment while maintaining safety requirements and allowing municipalities to adopt reasonable, non-review-based standards.