Briefings
What changed in environmental, land-use and permitting rules for development in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania: what happened, who is affected and the next date that matters.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey holds October 15 hearings on a tighter power plant carbon cap from 2027
A pending state proposal would align New Jersey’s carbon allowance program with the regional model rule from January 2027; comments close November 7, and a separate hearing addresses allowance prices and bills.
ProposedAir & climateEnergy & grid - HighNew Jersey
New Jersey large new loads could be curtailed first in emergencies from June 2027 under filing
On September 29, 2026 FERC accepted the regional grid operator's one-time capacity backstop but suspended it to February 28, 2027 for a paper hearing. A separate service that would curtail new large loads first, starting June 1, 2027, awaits a ruling PJM has asked for by October 12.
ProposedEnergy & gridData centers - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey ends site plan and variance review for electric vehicle chargers at existing buildings
A law approved September 28, 2026 makes approval of EV charging equipment at existing service stations, retail sites and buildings a non-discretionary permit, limits local review to specific safety impacts, and reaches pending applications. It took effect immediately; the chapter text could not be read.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey proposes lower renewable energy purchase targets for 2026 through 2029, comments due November 20
A proposal would cut the Class I renewable energy percentage that electricity suppliers must buy for each energy year from 2026 to 2029, which could lower demand and prices for Class I certificates. It is not in force. Comments close November 20, 2026; the notice lists no hearing.
ProposedEnergy & grid - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey seeks comment by October 16 on new state approval of utility transmission upgrades
Under a law signed July 7, 2026, utilities must obtain a Board of Public Utilities certificate for supplemental transmission projects. The Board's September 2026 notice asks for information by 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026, and rules are due about 270 days after enactment.
ProposedEnergy & grid - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey opens 300-megawatt community solar block for 5-to-20-megawatt projects on rooftops, landfills and contaminated sites
A September 9, 2026 BPU order implementing a new law lets community solar projects up to 20 MW register through December 31, 2028, sets a 33-month build window and defers escrow forfeiture. Eligible sites are limited to rooftops, landfills, contaminated sites and mining sites.
- MediumSalem County, NJ
New Jersey regulators will hear utility's 500-megawatt Salem County battery plan once its filing is complete
The state utility board named a presiding commissioner for Atlantic City Electric's request to own a 500-megawatt battery plant and recover its cost from customers, after staff found the petition incomplete.
ProposedEnergy & grid - HighNew Jersey
Federal: Appeals court voids New Jersey water certification for Raritan Bay gas pipeline expansion
The Third Circuit sent the Northeast Supply Enhancement certification back to New Jersey regulators, holding that monitoring plans needing only “review” and unexplained contaminant findings could not support it.
In courtEnergy & grid - HighNew Jersey
New Jersey proposes revised grid battery storage incentive rules and holds back rules for distributed storage
The notice describes how security, delay damages and incentive payments would work for large grid-scale storage projects, while rules for distributed storage await alignment with the virtual power plant program.
ProposedEnergy & gridTaxes & incentives - LowNew Jersey
New Jersey bars landlords, associations and towns from banning small plug-in solar panels from March 2027
A new law exempts plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 watts from utility interconnection and local permits, and voids lease and association rules that prohibit them.
FinalEnergy & grid - HighNew Jersey
New Jersey sets path for data center electric tariffs requiring 10-year payment guarantees and twice-yearly reporting
Two 2026 laws reach New Jersey data centers: a July 7 tariff law with an 85 percent, 10-year payment guarantee and priority curtailment, and an August 27 law requiring semiannual energy and water reports to the BPU. Board standards are due within 12 months of July 7.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey awards 16 farm-solar projects totaling 52 megawatts with farmland, soil and wetlands conditions
On August 12, 2026 the Board of Public Utilities conditionally approved 16 dual-use solar projects in eight counties and denied one on wetlands grounds. Awardees face 30- and 90-day filing deadlines, a state permitting meeting, and 15 years of annual farm reporting.
- MediumNew Jersey
Federal: Court returns Atlantic Shores offshore wind approval to federal agency, leaving it in force
A federal court has returned the New Jersey project's construction and operations plan approval to the federal ocean energy bureau for reconsideration without vacating it. A joint status report is due October 9, 2026, then every 60 days.
In courtEnergy & grid - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey must invite proposals for new nuclear plants by January 9 under new law
The Power NJ Act sets a staged state approval for advanced reactors, paid through certificates electricity suppliers must buy, with no payment until a plant delivers power.
FinalEnergy & grid - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey requires state approval of utility-planned transmission lines, with 120- or 180-day review
A law signed July 7, 2026 requires utilities to obtain a Board of Public Utilities certificate before building PJM 'supplemental' lines of 100 kV or more. Review runs 120 or 180 days and the Board may not consider environmental impacts. The certificate requirement starts 90 days after BPU rules or at the 19th month after enactment, whichever is earlier.
ProposedEnergy & grid - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey amends coastal permit law so nuclear plant review turns on proposed waste storage
A law approved April 8, 2026 amends the Coastal Area Facility Review Act so that DEP may approve a nuclear generating facility only if it finds the proposed waste storage or disposal method safe and consistent with Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards. It took effect immediately.