Gov. Murphy Signs Clean Energy Bill Package  

Seaside Heights: Today Governor Murphy signed a Clean Energy Bill Package with Mayor Tony Vaz, Senator Bob Smith, Assemblyman Daniel Benson, and CEO of ChargeEVC-NJ Pam Frank.

The following bills were signed into law:

S3484(Smith)/(Dancer): Increases amount of solar energy generation on lands eligible for farmland assessment under certain conditions; revises law concerning solar energy generation on preserved farmland; directs BPU to provide certain incentives to “dual-use” solar projects on unpreserved farmland.

“This law is a win-win for solar energy and preserving farmland. The dual use aspect of the bill will help provide farmers with a stable revenue and offer an alternative to selling their property under economic pressure. This law will help prevent our farmland from being developed while moving forward with the state’s clean energy goals,” said Taylor McFarland, Acting Director of the Sierra Club- NJ Chapter.

S2605(Smith/ Karabinchak) Establishes successor program to solar renewable energy certificate program in BPU, including solicitation process for certain solar power generation facilities.

“In order for New Jersey to meet its goals for solar, we need to be looking at locations for large-scale solar. We won’t be able to get there with just brownfields and rooftops, so we need to be looking at farm fields as well as other appropriate sites. That is why we support this law. We can build a large-scale solar project on farmland in a way that allows for grass growth or sheep grazing, or pollinator plants by raising the panels higher. This law will help produce green jobs and help New Jersey meet its clean energy goals,” said McFarland.

S3223(Smith / Swain / Benson):Establishes numerical requirements and zoning standards for installation of electric vehicle supply equipment and Make-Ready parking spaces.

“We generally support this law, but it is important that the location of the charging station should not be put in a location that would create the need for a bulk variance. The stations should not encroach into buffers, right aways, or a setback. As New Jersey works to put EV’s on the road, it’s critical that we have the infrastructure to do so. This law will expedite the building of charging stations at gas stations. This law is a step in the right direction when it comes to reducing GHG’s and protecting our air. More importantly, it will help ‘range anxiety.’ Building charging stations at gas stations will help people drive electric vehicles confidently, without worrying about where to charge,” said McFarland. 

A1653(Quijano / Smith): Encourages development of zero-emission vehicle fueling and charging infrastructure in redevelopment projects.

“We do not support this law. The amended version of this law does not focus on electric vehicles. Instead, the legislation focuses on zero-emission vehicles and will thwart the state’s effort to move forward with EV’s.  The law encourages zero-emission vehicles which are powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The only way to get hydrogen for these fuel cells is from natural gas,” said Taylor McFarland, Acting Director of the Sierra Club- NJ Chapter. “New Jersey needs to focus on building its EV infrastructure so that we can fully utilize EV technology and the clean and green benefits that come with it.”