Information Hub to Aid Municipalities and Developers with Solar Projects 

On September 4, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy today announced the launch of the new Landfill to Solar website, created by the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy to serve as a one-stop shop to guide municipalities and solar developers as they plan, fund, and complete solar plus landfill capping projects. The Governor also signed legislation, A4619/S3479, enhancing the Historic Property Reinvestment Act and the Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program Act to support historic preservation and further incentivize the redevelopment of brownfields across New Jersey into new solar energy facilities. 

New Jersey Priority Climate Action Plan 

On March 1, 2024, New Jersey completed and submitted a Priority Climate Action Plan as part of EPA’s Climate Protection Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. New Jersey’s PCAP includes twelve priority measures and dozens of enabling actions for those measures, grouped into the following six priority areas: transportation, buildings, electric generation, food waste, halogenated gases, and natural and working lands. 
 

New Jersey signs MOU to accelerate transition to zero-emission residential buildings 

On February 7, 2024, New Jersey and eight other states signed a pledge to have heat pumps make up 90% of residential heating, air conditioning and water heating sales in their states by 2040. The MOU was developed in partnership with the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management.   

Advanced Clean Cars II Rule Adoption

In December 2023, the DEP adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II rule requiring vehicle manufacturers to make zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) an increasing percentage of their new light-duty vehicle sales beginning in model year 2027, ramping up to 100% ZEVs by 2035. 

New Jersey commits to Decarbonize Buildings and increase Heat Pump Installations by 2030

On Septermber 21, 2023, New Jersey, in partnership with other states, pledged to collectively reach 20 million heat pump installations across the coalition by 2030, with the aim of ensuring at least 40 percent of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities. The initiative spearheaded by the United State Climate Alliance also committed the state to exploring a clean heat standard and aligning the buildings sector utility resource planning and procurement policies with state climate goals. 

DEP Statewide Strategic Climate Action Plan

On Septemeber 19, 2023, DEP released the  Strategic Climate Action Plan. The plan set DEP’s course for continuing to address climate change impacts and inform the public about short-term and long-term climate actions. The Plan outlines a series of regulatory and policy actions to better integrate climate change considerations into the DEP’s regulatory and permitting programs.  

Community Solar Pilot Program Made Permanent

On August 16, 2023, the Community Solar Pilot Program, now called The Community Solar Energy Program, was made permanent. The Community Solar Energy Program permits community solar projects of no greater than 5 MW on rooftops, carports and canopies over impervious surfaces, contaminated sites and landfills, and certain bodies of water such as water treatment reservoirs and dredge ponds.

Climate Mitigation ‘Lead by Example’ (LBE) Initiative

July 17, 2023, DEP established a Climate Mitigation ‘Lead by Example’ (LBE) initiative to inventory, analyze and remediate the emissions of DEP-owned or administered buildings and other assets. 

Executive Order No. 317

On February 15, 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 317 which initiates a process in partnership with New Jersey’s hometown utilities, key stakeholders including organized labor, and the NJBPU to plan for the future of natural gas utility in the state.

Executive Order No. 316

On February 15, 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 316 to target to install zero-carbon emission space heating and cooling systems in 400,000 homes and 20,000 commercial properties and to make 10% of all low-to-moderate income (LMI) properties to be electrification-ready by the year 2030.

Executive Order No. 315

On February 15, 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 315 to accelerate the target of 100% clean energy by 2050 to 2035. 100% clean energy is defined as 100% of electricity sold in New Jersey to come from clean sources of electricity through clean energy market mechanisms paired with support for a clean energy standard in New Jersey.

Executive Order No. 307

On September 21, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 307 which increases New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50 percent to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040.

Executive Order No. 274

In November 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 274, which established an interim greenhouse gas reduction target of 50 percent below 2006 levels by 2030.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program

On August 24, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation A2374 which established the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. This program will facilitate the funding of clean and renewable energy infrastructure at commercial properties throughout the state.

Solar Act of 2021

The Solar Act of 2021, signed in July 2021, directed NJBPU to double growth of existing solar program, incentivizing up to 3,750 megawatts (MW) of solar generation by 2026.

Executive Order No. 221

In February 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 221, which established the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy.

Global Warming Response Act 80×50 Report

The New Jersey Global Warming Response Act 80×50 Report was released in October 2020 and was written in response to the mandate in the Global Warming Response Act, to reduce New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from their 2006 levels by 2050. This report builds on the State’s previous efforts to address and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and serves as the third element of a comprehensive plan that evaluates New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions from both energy and non-energy systems, providing guidance, policies, and regulatory and legislative recommendations to meet the State’s GHG emission reduction goals.

Hydrogen Task Force Law

Signed in January 2020, the Hydrogen Task Force Law (P.L.2020, c.38) established NJ Fuel Cell Task Force to increase use of fuel cells in State.

HFC Law

Prohibits certain equipment containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or other greenhouse gases. Read the law here.

Executive Order No. 100

In January 2020, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 100 directed the DEP to make sweeping regulatory reforms and was branded as Protecting Against Climate Threats (PACT) to reduce emissions & adapt to climate change.

Electric Vehicle Bill

Enacted in January 2020, the Electric Vehicle Bill established goals and incentives for electric car users​.

Energy Master Plan Update

On January 27, 2020, Governor Murphy unveiled the state’s Energy Master Plan, which outlines key strategies to reach the Administration’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050

As part of a new vision for a sustainable future, the Energy Master Plan will reflect new goals for the state:

Strategy 1: Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Transportation Sector

Strategy 2: Accelerating Deployment of Renewable Energy and Distributed Energy Resources

Strategy 3: Maximizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation and Reducing Peak Demand

Strategy 4: Reducing Energy Consumption and Emissions from the Building Sector

Strategy 5: Decarbonizing and Modernizing New Jersey’s Energy System

Strategy 6: Supporting Community Energy Planning and Action in Underserved Communities

Strategy 7: Expand the Clean Energy Innovation Economy

Executive Order No. 92

Governor Phil Murphy, alongside First Lady Tammy Murphy and former Vice President Al Gore at the Liberty Science Center, signed Executive Order No. 92, raising New Jersey’s offshore wind goal from 3,500 megawatts of offshore wind-generated electricity by 2030 to 7,500 megawatts by 2035.

Executive Order No. 89

In October 2019, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 89 directed the creation of a Climate Change Resiliency Strategy and Climate Food Resilience Program.

Executive Order No. 79

In August 2019, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 79 established the Wind Innovation and New Development (WIND).

Clean Energy Act

On May 23, 2018 Governor Murphy signed the Clean Energy Act (P.L.2018, c.17). The Clean Energy Act takes several critical steps to improve and expand New Jersey’s renewable energy programs. Changes include;

• • Renewable Portfolio Standard: Establishes one of the most ambitious in the country by requiring 35% of the energy sold in the state come from qualifying energy sources by 2025 and 50% by 2030.
  • Solar: Accelerates the solar RPS to 5.1% by 2021 and establishes a Community Solar Energy Pilot Program.
  • Offshore Wind: Codifies the Governor’s goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030 and reinstates an expired program to provide tax credits for offshore wind manufacturing activities.
  • Energy Efficiency: Requires each utility to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce electricity usage by 2% and natural gas usage by 0.75%.
  • Energy Storage: Codifies the Governor’s goal of achieving 600 MW of energy storage by 2021 and 2,000 MW by 2030.

Executive Order No. 28

In May 2018, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 28 directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, in partnership with other state agencies, to develop this statewide clean energy plan and shift away from energy production that contributes to climate change.

New Jersey Joins US Climate Alliance

On February 21, 2018, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2018, c.3, requiring New Jersey to join the US Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of US states committed to uphold the United Nations’ Paris Climate Accord despite the federal government’s decision to withdrawal.

Executive Order No. 8

On January 31, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy Signed Executive Order No. 8 which directs all New Jersey state agencies with responsibilities under the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act to fully implement the act in order to meet a goal of obtaining 3,500 MW from offshore wind by the year 2030.

Executive Order No. 7

On January 29, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 7 directing the Department of Environmental Protection and the Board of Public Utilities to take all necessary regulatory and administrative measures to ensure New Jersey’s timely return to full participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). To learn more about RGGI click here.

Energy Master Plan Update

The Energy Master Plan update, released in December 2015, included measures of the State’s progress toward achieving the 2011 EMP goals and a new section to address the challenges to New Jersey’s energy infrastructure identified in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Read the full report here.

The Solar Act

The Solar Act of 2012 (P.L. 2012, c.24), amended certain aspects of the statute that governs the generation, interconnection and financing of renewable energy and mandated that 4.1% of electricity sales must come from solar by 2028. The Solar Act required the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to conduct proceedings to establish new standards and to develop new programs to implement the Act’s overall goals to stabilize the Solar Renewable Energy Credits market and continue growth in the solar industry. Updated by the Clean Energy Act of 2018, the solar Renewable Portfolio Standard is now 5.1% by 2021.

Energy Master Plan

The 2011 Energy Master Plan was the strategic vision for the use, management and development of energy in New Jersey over the next decade.  The Plan has 5 overarching goals: drive down the cost of energy for all customers; promote a diverse portfolio of new, clean in-State generation; reward energy efficiency and energy conservation and reduce peak demand; capitalize on emerging technologies for transportation and power; and, maintain support for the renewable energy portfolio standard of 22.5% of energy from renewable sources by 2021. Read the full report here.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

New Jersey withdraws from RGGI under the Christie Administration.

Offshore Wind Economic Development Act

In August 2010, the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act was signed into law. The Act advised the Board of Public Utilities to establish a program for Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificates to incentivize the development of offshore wind facilities.

Draft Global Warming Response Act Recommendation Report

Provided an action plan for achieving, and exceeding, the statutory 2020 statewide GHG limit and established a framework for meeting the 2050 statewide GHG limit. Read the full report in the  GHG Archive.

The Global Warming Response Act

The Global Warming Response Act at N.J.S.A. 26:2C-37, Established emission reductions of 20% below 2006 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050, known as the 80×50 goal. It required the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a greenhouse gas inventory and continue to monitor and report Statewide emissions.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

December 2005 marks New Jersey’s first entry into RGGI, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed to establish and enter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Read more about New Jersey’s participation in RGGI here.

Electric Discount & Energy Competition Act

The Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (January 1999) established New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Societal Benefits Charge. Today, New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standards has become one of the most aggressive in the United States, requiring that each electricity supplier serving retail customers in the state procure 35% the electricity it sells in New Jersey from qualified renewable energy resources by 2025 and 50% by 2030. New Jersey established the Renewable Portfolio Standard to drive the market deployment of new clean energy technologies, recognizing that expansion of renewable energy generation would provide significant economic development and environmental benefits, thereby helping to satisfy New Jersey’s air quality and greenhouse gas reduction goals.