Bill > A5769

Introduced Session

This bill would require certain warehouses to obtain a permit under the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," P.L.1954, c.212 (C.26:2C-1 et seq.) before being allowed to operate in the State. Specifically, the bill would apply to warehouses that are 100,000 square feet or larger and generate 500 or more vehicle trips per working day. The vehicle trips would include employees commuting to and from work, in addition to truck traffic. However, the vehicle trips would exclude trips made by zero-emission vehicles. Under the permit program, the owner or operator of a regulated warehouse would be required to demonstrate to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that the warehouse generates no more than 100 tons of greenhouse gases per year. The owner or operator could purchase carbon credits to offset the warehouse's emissions, provided that DEP deems the credits to be legitimate. The requirement to obtain a permit would begin 18 months after the date the bill is enacted into law. The permit requirement would apply to any existing or newly constructed warehouse that is covered under the bill. The bill would provide that the DEP has the same powers to administer and enforce the permit program as it has under the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," and a violation of the bill's provisions would constitute a violation of the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)." Persons who violate the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)" may be liable to a civil administrative penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first offense, not more than $25,000 for the second offense, and not more than $50,000 for the third and each subsequent offense.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (on 11/30/2023)

Official Document