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Bill > S650
NJ S650
NJ S650Requires BPU to establish beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program and requires electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would direct the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish a beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program, and would require electric public utilities to prepare and implement beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans. As used in the bill, "beneficial electrification and decarbonization" means a change in end-use equipment from a nonelectric type to an efficient electric type for any building end use, including water heating, space heating, industrial process, or transportation, provided that the change: reduces cost from a societal perspective; reduces greenhouse gas emissions, or promotes the increased use of the electric grid in off-peak hours. The bill directs the BPU to adopt, no later than one year after the bill becomes law, rules and regulations establishing a beneficial building electrification and decarbonization program. As part of the program, the BPU would develop greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for beneficial building electrification and decarbonization plans implemented by each electric public utility in the State. The bill would also require each electric public utility to prepare a multi-year beneficial electrification and decarbonization plan to achieve the targets established by the BPU. To be approved by the BPU, an electricity public utility plan would be required to meet or exceed on-site greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the board and be cost effective from a societal perspective utilizing a cost-effectiveness test that includes consideration of the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and methane emissions. Subsection d. of section 1 of the bill would establish the means by which a utility's beneficial building and decarbonization plan could meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
AI Summary
This bill mandates the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program focused on beneficial building electrification and decarbonization, which involves switching from non-electric to efficient electric equipment for various building uses like heating, water heating, industrial processes, or transportation, as long as these changes reduce societal costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions, or increase electricity use during off-peak hours. Electric public utilities will be required to develop and implement multi-year plans to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the BPU, ensuring these plans are cost-effective from a societal viewpoint, considering environmental benefits. The bill also outlines how these targets can be met, including converting fossil fuel heating and appliances to high-efficiency electric alternatives like heat pumps, electrifying industrial equipment, and implementing market transformation programs to educate professionals.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (9)
Bob Smith (D)*,
Andrew Zwicker (D)*,
Renee Burgess (D),
Patrick Diegnan (D),
John McKeon (D),
Angela Mcknight (D),
Raj Mukherji (D),
Brian Stack (D),
Benjie Wimberly (D),
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S650 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/650_I1.HTM |
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