SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1815

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2026

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1815.

As amended, this bill would establish a solar energy grant program (program), to begin no later than 180 days after the bill’s effective date, within the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to provide grants for school districts, public schools, 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, public school, jointure commission, educational services commission, State career or technical school, or community college.  A grant awarded under the 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 Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Education (DOE).

     The bill would require the BPU, in consultation with the DOE, 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 would utilize and update monthly.  The BPU would also require the grant recipient to report to the BPU information relating to its use of grant funds under the program.  The bill would direct 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 would be required to publish the guidelines required by paragraph (1) of subsection f. of section 1 of the bill on the BPU’s Internet website.  The bill would appropriate $15 million, from the General Fund, to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

The committee amendments to the bill:

     (1) add the definition of “department” to mean the Department of Education;

     (2) provide that the definition of “eligible entity” or “eligible applicant” includes public schools;

     (3) provide that the BPU is to consult the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, rather than the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, when determining eligible entities, applicants, and solar energy projects under the program;

     (4) provide that the BPU is to consult with the Department of Education when establishing the program; and

     (5) make technical and clarifying changes.