Bill

Bill > S628


NJ S628

NJ S628
Authorizes regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)" and "Global Warming Response Act."


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would amend the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," P.L.1954, c.212 (C.26:2C-1 et seq.), and the "Global Warming Response Act," P.L.2007, c.112 (C.26:2C-37 et al.), to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules and regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the bill would expand the authority given to the DEP to regulate air pollution in the State to also include "excess greenhouse gas emissions," which is defined by the bill to mean "Statewide greenhouse gas emissions which exceed those of the limits established in section 4 of P.L.2007, c.112 (26:2C-40) or the interim benchmarks adopted pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2007, c.112 (C.26:2C-41)." "Greenhouse gas" is defined by the bill to mean carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and any other gas or substance determined by the DEP to be a significant contributor to the problem of global warming. The bill would also direct the DEP to adopt rules and regulations, no later than 24 months after the bill's enactment, which incorporate greenhouse gas emissions limits into the DEP's operating permit requirements adopted pursuant to "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," and include any other restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions deemed by the DEP to be necessary for the State to meet the requirements of the "Global Warming Response Act." In addition, the bill would require the DEP to adopt rules and regulations as necessary to meet the requirements of the "Global Warming Response Act," including, but not limited to, rules and regulations that restrict the sale and use of fossil fuel types or establish greenhouse gas emissions limits from stationary sources.

AI Summary

This bill expands the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under existing environmental laws, specifically the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)" and the "Global Warming Response Act." It defines "excess greenhouse gas emissions" as emissions exceeding established limits or interim benchmarks, and "greenhouse gas" to include common pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane, as well as others deemed by the DEP to contribute to global warming. The bill mandates that the DEP, within 24 months of enactment, create rules to incorporate greenhouse gas emission limits into operating permits and implement other necessary restrictions to meet the State's global warming goals. Furthermore, it directs the DEP to develop regulations that could restrict the sale and use of fossil fuels or set emission limits for stationary sources, all aimed at achieving the State's climate change objectives.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/13/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...