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The basics:

• Murphy signs laws expanding community solar, energy storage
• Registration for 3,000 MW of new solar projects set to launch by Oct. 1
• State targets 2,000 MW of storage capacity by 2030 to stabilize the grid
• Legislation expands solar access to 450,000 residents, including 250,000 low-income families

Gov. Phil Murphy held a bill signing in Lawrenceville Aug. 22, enacting two measures aimed at addressing the energy cost crisis gripping the state and region.

“Today, we are taking immediate and far-reaching steps to lower energy costs for every household in New Jersey,” said Murphy.

The new laws include:

• Senate Bill 4530/Assembly Bill 5768: Directs the Board of Public Utilities to open registration by Oct. 1 for an additional 3,000 megawatts of community solar projects
• A5267/S4289: Establishes a transmission-scale energy storage incentive program to achieve the state’s goal of 2,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030

“By accelerating the process for bringing new sources of energy online and rapidly building new energy storage facilities, we will meet growing demand while also making life more affordable for our state’s families,” said Murphy. “As part of this process, we are going to create good-paying, union jobs and build a cleaner, more resilient future for every New Jerseyan.”

Making investments

NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy said this legislation addresses real problems.

“More New Jerseyans will get access to the benefits of expanded community solar programs – one of the best ways for residents to lower their utility bills while contributing to clean energy in the Garden State,” said Guhl-Sadovy. “And large-scale batter storage will strengthen our electric grid and keep the lights on when we need it most. This is how we build a grid that works for everyone.”

Sen. Bob Smith, D-17th District, and chair of the Senate Energy Committee served as a prime sponsor of S4289/A5267. He said that as projected energy demand and electricity costs rise, it is more important than ever to invest in innovative technology that will both enhance the stability of our grid and enable cost savings for New Jersey residents.

“By incentivizing and procuring the creation of transmission-scale energy storage we will enable a wider application of clean energy that can charge and store energy at low-cost hours then discharge at high-cost, high-demand hours, thus lowering overall costs and smoothing demand spikes on the grid,” said Smith. “This legislation will help keep New Jersey at the forefront of investments in new, clean energy technology, even as the current federal administration seeks to sabotage our environment and our renewable future.”

Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, D-18th District, a prime sponsor of S4530/A5768, said the signing of this legislation could not come at a more critical time – given the termination of the federal Solar for All program earlier this month.

“Solar technology has stood the test and will play a crucial role in reaching our energy goals in New Jersey,” said Karabinchak.

Building economic opportunity

The sponsors and the administration note that the legislation will expand solar access for 450,000 additional New Jerseyans (including 250,000 low-income families) – enabling the equivalent of 1 million households to receive solar power by 2028. The Murphy administration has emphasized solar, increasing capacity from 2.4 gigawatts to 5.2 gigawatts – with it currently powering the equivalent of more than 600,000 homes.

This law doesn’t just build solar – it builds economic opportunity and resilience for the communities that need it most.
– Charlie Coggeshall, Mid-Atlantic director, Coalition for Community Solar Access

“As we continue to address energy affordability, bring relief to ratepayers, and increase electricity generation, Bill A5768 will help incentivize the development and construction of significantly more solar energy projects in the state,” said Karabinchak.

“This law doesn’t just build solar – it builds economic opportunity and resilience for the communities that need it most,” said Charlie Coggeshall, Mid-Atlantic director for the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA).

These bill signings mark the latest developments in this energy space during a very busy summer, which NJBIZ has extensively reported on – as a major rate hike hit June 1 that has led to ratepayer backlash and sticker shock, as well as a lot of finger-pointing between the political parties and key stakeholders. The subject has sparked great debate and disagreement.

It has also emerged as one of the dominant issues on the gubernatorial campaign trail.

Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest.