Bill > S4124

Introduced Session

This bill establishes a solar energy grant program, to begin no later than 180 days after the effective date of this act, within the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide grants for school districts, jointure commissions, educational services commissions, career and technical schools, and community colleges in New Jersey. The purpose of the program is to assist public schools with reducing present and future energy costs, increase resiliency of school energy systems, and to take a step towards the State's climate action goals. In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must be: a school district, a jointure commission, educational services commission, a State career or technical school, or a community college. The grant awarded by this bill would cover up to 50 percent of the eligible solar energy project's eligible costs, which are to be determined by the BPU in consultation with the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Education. The bill requires the BPU to develop guidelines and procedures for the submission of grant applications, and criteria for the evaluation of applications; establish terms and conditions for the awarding of a grant and monitor grant recipients' compliance with the terms and conditions; provide technical assistance and information related to funding opportunities through the federal Inflation Reduction Act; develop educational materials about using, purchasing, financing, and maintaining eligible solar energy projects; and develop a financial risk and savings report that all eligible solar energy projects shall utilize and update monthly. The BPU may also require the grant recipient to report to the board information relating to its use of grant funds under the program. The bill directs the BPU to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, during each year in which a grant is awarded, on the effectiveness of the grant program. Within 90 days of the effective date of the bill, the BPU is required to publish the guidelines required by paragraph (1) of subsection f. of section 1 of the bill on the board's Internet website. The bill would appropriate $15 million, from the General Fund, to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

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Troy Singleton (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 02/03/2025)

Official Document