Governor Murphy Announces New Incentive to Support Solar Energy Development, Information Hub to Aid Municipalities and Developers with Solar Projects
Sep 4, 2024
New Website Will Streamline Transformation of Unusable Land into Clean Energy Sites
Newly Enacted Legislation Will Bolster Historic Preservation in NJ & Support Redevelopment of Brownfields into Solar Facilities
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced the launch of a new website that will 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.
“In New Jersey, we have set the ambitious goal of delivering a 100 percent green economy because we know how important it is to build a strong foundation for renewable energy, combating the imminent threat of climate change and propelling our state forward. My Administration has pursued innovative strategies to reduce our carbon footprint by shifting away from fossil fuels and uplifting renewable resources. These policies represent an investment into our residents and our communities by prioritizing public health, spurring economic development, and creating good-paying jobs,” said Governor Murphy. “With the launch of the Landfill to Solar website, we are putting all our resources in one place so municipalities and developers can leverage otherwise unusable land into renewable energy sites. We are also expanding tax credits under the Economic Development Authority’s Historic Property Reinvestment Act and Brownfields Redevelopment Program Act so that we can preserve New Jersey’s communities while promoting environmental cleanup and green energy production. Today’s bill signing will ensure future generations can celebrate the rich history of our state while living in a greener, healthier environment.”
The new Landfill to Solar website, created by the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, brings together resources from New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU), Economic Development Authority (EDA), and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide both municipal governments and solar developers with a step-by-step guide to initiating and completing solar projects. Advancing resources such as the landfill solar information hub is a primary component of the Murphy Administration’s whole-of-government approach to reducing emissions, developing clean energy, growing economic development, increasing affordability, and revitalizing communities.
The site highlights DEP’s Solar Siting Analysis Mapping Tool to help identify eligible landfill sites in municipalities across New Jersey and provides streamlined instructions on how to apply for incentive programs made available through the state. This includes EDA’s Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive Program Act as well as BPU’s Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP) and Competitive Solar Incentive (CSI) program. New Jersey’s solar programs provide incentives tailored to the needs of different projects further enabling continued growth at a lower cost to ratepayers. At their September 4 board meeting BPU adopted rules for permanent Community Solar Energy Program proposed changes allowing co-location on uncapped municipally-owned landfills up total size 10-megawatts.
“From our Competitive Solar Incentive program to our nation-leading Community Solar Energy Program New Jersey thriving industry continues serve national model,” said Board Public Utilities President Christine Guhl-Sadovy “We look forward continuing provide tools need bring fruition making affordable accessible all residents.”
“Preserving historic sites transforming dormant properties serves key component economic strategy helping attract investments spur revitalization communities legislation signed law allow Historic Property Reinvestment Programs continue supporting transformative create restore underutilized community assets unlock untapped potential across state,” said Tim Sullivan Chief Executive Officer Economic Development Authority.
“Information critical ongoing transition clean-energy economy,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M LaTourette “DEP Analysis 3 provides detailed land use guide appropriate places arrays rooftops tool great resource continued development more renewable help meet goals mitigate impacts climate change.”
“New long national leader when comes creating innovative deploy meet goals another example leadership,” said Eric Miller Executive Director Office Climate Action Economy “With greater streamline conversion sites facilities lower greenhouse gas emissions same time lowering bills located.”
Legislation signed enhance incentives available modifying provisions cover remediation activities needed cap eligible receive tax credits amount costs remediating capping maximum $8 $12 million depending location project.
Reforms increasing maximum size awards facade rehabilitation eligible award Credits awarded tracts government-restricted increased cost rehabilitation maximum Credits other qualified transformative increased rehabilitation maximum $8 million.
Sponsors include Senate Majority Leader M Teresa Ruiz Senator Shirley Turner Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin Assemblywoman Shanique Speight Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter.
“The high cost environmental remediation preservation greatly discourage underserved where investments biggest impact,” said Senate Majority Leader M Teresa Ruiz “Increasing fixing administrative hurdles builders take require create stimulate local economies revitalize preserving unique character neighborhoods.”
"By enhancing incentives spur greater investment contaminated especially underserved," said Senator Shirley Turner "This promotes ethical prioritizes history works ensure healthy safe live work.”
“History central identity modifying effective equitable impactful reflects commitment preserving heritage areas neglected building stronger cleaner future everyone state” said Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin.
“Rich around us through able revitalize landmarks redevelop preserving heritage,” said Assemblywoman Shanique Speight “Provisions stimulate investments transforming underutilized vibrant better serve businesses."
"Encourage businesses ultimately enhancing quality life," said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter "Investing properties redeveloping breathing new significantly improving well-being."
Governor set goal achieving clean electricity by 2035 supporting creation directly support accelerate deployment Under leadership track exceed installed capacity over MW These incentivized drive job creation across state.
According U.S Department Energy top five job growth efficiency sector growth rate Last year electric power generation employed workers little working expected next months between percent percent.
“The Chamber Commerce applauds turn underutilized dormant vibrant productive potential Modifying application boost investment enhance local provide potential improve compliance consistency federal encourage further throughout," Michael Egenton Executive Vice President Government Relations Chamber Commerce.
"NAIOP-NJ supported original among actions created current form competitive encourages clean-up contaminated reinvest completely line members' commercial owners interest feasible improvements included make attractive looking invest ripe commend sponsors working improve accelerate environmental construction." Dan Kennedy CEO NAIOP-NJ
“We grateful directing closing initiative historic opportunity unlock opportunities once burdens communities,” Eric Millard Chief Commercial Officer CS Energy.
