ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4688

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 5, 2026

      The Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4688 (1R).

      As amended and reported, this bill amends current law authorizing the construction of biomass, solar, and wind energy generation facilities, structures, and equipment on preserved farmland in order to exempt facilities, structures, and equipment that are located on the roofs of buildings or other structures or on exception areas from the requirement that the facilities, structures, and equipment be limited in annual energy generation capacity to the previous calendar year’s energy demand plus 10 percent.

      Moreover, current law conditions the authorization of the construction of biomass, solar, and wind energy generation facilities, structures, and equipment, in part, on whether the facilities, structures, and equipment are owned by the landowner or will be owned by the landowner upon the conclusion of the term of an agreement subject to specific conditions outlined in current law.  The bill expands the scope of this authorization by amending current law to include facilities, structures, and equipment that are owned, leased, or will be owned by the landowner upon the conclusion of the term of an agreement without reference to specific agreement conditions.

      In addition, the bill exempts biomass, solar, or wind energy generation facilities, structures, or equipment located in exception areas of the farm from the requirement under current law to obtain project approval from the State Agriculture Development Committee.  However, current law would still require biomass, solar, and wind energy generation facilities located on the roofs of buildings or other structures on such farms to obtain State Agriculture Development Committee approval.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to: 

(1) authorize the construction of biomass, solar, or wind energy generation facilities, structures, and equipment provided that, in part, the facilities, structures, and equipment are owned, leased, or will be owned by the landowner pursuant to an agreement, rather than just facilities, structures, and equipment that are owned or will be owned by the landowner pursuant to an agreement under specific conditions outlined under current law;

(2) exempt a landowner from having to obtain approval from the State Agriculture Development Committee prior to constructing, installing, or operating biomass, solar, or wind energy generation facilities, structures, or equipment located in exception areas of the farm;

(3) revise the bill’s synopsis; and

(4) make technical changes.