New Jersey Legislative Update
New Jersey State Legislature Quietly Introduces Three Aggressive Renewable-Energy Bills
In early October, the New Jersey State Legislature quietly introduced three bills, which aggressively pursue goals to overhaul the state’s energy policies, exceeding any proposals thus far to reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and increase the use of renewables.
The first bill requires that 100 percent of the state’s electricity is supplied by renewable sources by 2050. The second bill targets an offshore wind capacity of 3,500 megawatts by 2030, and the third bill sets aggressive goals for power suppliers regarding energy storage.
This aggressive approach, however, is not shared by everyone. The progress of these bills has been slowed down by an Assembly Committee. In addition, some business lobbyists have raised concerns that an over-reliance on renewable energy will lead to higher electricity bills.
Nonetheless, the environmental proponents of these bills, like the Sierra Club and Environment New Jersey, are eager to see this legislation advanced and are convinced that the state can in fact reach the goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
For additional information, please see www.njspotlight.com.
Recently Enacted Environmental Laws
P.L.2017, c 210 (A3056) Requires NJDEP to establish guidelines for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education to reduce, recover, and recycle food waste; extends “Food Bank Good Samaritan Act” immunity protections to public and nonpublic schools.
Recently Introduced Environmental Bills
S3412 / A4508: Improving Energy Infrastructure through Public-Private Partnership Act. Status: Reported out of Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee; passed second reading; pending in Senate Economic Growth Committee.
S2873 / A4540: Requires municipal land use plan element of master plan to address smart growth, storm resiliency and environmental sustainability issues. Status: Reported out of Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee; passed by the Assembly; third reading, passed final passage in the Senate.
A5043: Requires State to uphold goals of Paris Climate Agreement. Introduced and referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
S3470 / A4552: Encourages local units to plan for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Status: Reported out of Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, passed second reading.
Updated Status of Previously Reported Environmental Bills
A4306: Requires NJDEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water. Status: Pending in Assembly Appropriations Committee; pending in Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
S2712: Prohibits dumping dredge spoils on and around certain islands without municipal approval. Status: Pending in Senate Environment and Energy Committee; pending in Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
A693 / A540: Requires State compensation of property owners for certain property devalued due to certain environmental laws; and requires State agencies to evaluate proposed administrative rules for potential to constitute taking of real property. Status: Pending in Assembly State Government Committee.
A960 / S1030: Imposes criminal penalties for discharge of untreated sewage from containment devices installed on watercraft. Status: Pending in Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
A1352: Concerns regulation of solid waste, hazardous waste, and recycling industries - implementing recommendations concerning the circumvention of oversight in the solid waste and recycling industries. Status: Reported from Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee with Amendments, second Reading in Senate.
A1353 / S575: Concerns combined sewer overflows; establishes Combined Sewer Overflow Solutions Fund; exempts improvements thereto from 2% property tax cap; and appropriates $5 million. Status: Pending in Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
A1356: Requires owner or operator of industrial establishment applying for de minimus exemption from “Industrial Site Recovery Act” to certify as to no actual knowledge of contamination exceeding remediation standards. Status: Introduced; pending in Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
A2076: Establishes de minimis levels for regulation of air contaminants and hazardous air pollutants, and directs NJDEP to establish de minimis levels for regulation of hazardous substances. Status: Introduced; pending in Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
A4880 / S3351: Amends law to limit NJDEP’s direct oversight of remediation of portion of contaminated site under certain circumstances. Status: Introduced; pending in Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
S1237 / A1954: Makes changes to funding provisions for financial assistance grants from Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund. Status: Passed by the Assembly; pending in Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
S1368 / A3039: Requires NJDEP to obtain legislative approval and authorization before increasing a fee or imposing a new fee, but retains NJDEP authority to use ordinary administrative procedure when decreasing a fee. Status: Introduced; pending in Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Reform and Federal Relations Committee.
S2306 / A1352: Concerns regulation of solid waste, hazardous waste, and soil and debris recycling industries. Status: Out of Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee; second reading with amendments pending in Senate Committee.
S1707 / A2203: Establishes requirements for provision of energy from Class I renewable energy sources. Status: Passed by the Senate; pending in Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.
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