Creating a Clean Energy Fairness Office to Help Polluted Communities
Official title: S1757 — Establishes Office of Clean Energy Equity in BPU; directs establishment of certain clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs for overburdened communities; makes change to community solar program.
What is this?
New Jersey is creating a new Office of Clean Energy Equity to make sure that neighborhoods that have been unfairly burdened with pollution and environmental problems get access to clean energy, energy efficiency upgrades, and solar programs. The office will be part of the state's utility regulator and will set up special programs to help these communities save money and energy. This bill also makes changes to the community solar program to help more people participate.
Who does this affect?
- •Residents in overburdened communities that have faced pollution and environmental injustice
- •Low-income families looking to reduce their energy costs
- •Renters and others who can't install rooftop solar but want to use community solar
- •New Jersey utility customers through changes to energy programs
What can you do?
Timeline
- 2026-01-13: Bill introduced in the Senate
This bill also makes changes to the community solar program to help more people participate.