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A 4892

Establishes Office of Clean Energy Equity in BPU; directs establishment of certain clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs for overburdened communities; makes change to community solar program.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 10 co-sponsors

Creates the Office of Clean Energy Equity to deploy solar, storage, and efficiency in overburdened communities, focusing on cost savings, jobs, and local ownership.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4892

Summary of Bill A4892 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity within the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).
  • Directs the deployment of clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs in overburdened communities, with a focus on tangible household and community benefits (cost savings, asset ownership, employment opportunities, and economic development).

Key provisions and changes

1) Office of Clean Energy Equity

  • Created within BPU to promote, guide, and oversee equitable clean energy deployment.
  • Responsibilities include ensuring benefits reach overburdened communities, including energy cost savings and ownership opportunities.

2) Onsite and community solar; energy storage requirements

  • By 2030:
    • The board must establish onsite solar or community solar programs that benefit at least 250,000 low-income households or 35% of the State’s low-income households, whichever is larger.
    • Goal: reduce the average energy burden of these households to below 6% of income (as defined by DOE’s LIVED tool), potentially leveraging independent non-utility solar providers.
  • By 2030:
    • Require at least 1,600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy storage in overburdened communities, capable of delivering 400 MW of power.
    • Storage to be sited in public facilities as part of microgrids or in low-income households, prioritizing community resilience and disaster response.

3) Program design, outreach, and governance

  • Integrate workforce development into all clean energy and storage programs.
  • Provide grants to community-based organizations for outreach, prioritizing participation by residents of overburdened communities through local hiring.
  • Develop multilingual outreach materials and a community advisory structure (community liaison and an advisory board) to review programs and identify unmet needs.
  • Coordinate with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Community Affairs on related duties.

4) Funding and budgeting

  • The BPU must direct at least 10% of its annual clean energy budget (or $50 million annually, whichever is greater) to the Office of Clean Energy Equity.
  • Funding is supplemental to existing low-income energy efficiency programs; additional funding/staff may be allocated as needed.
  • Up to 5% of annual directed funds may cover administration, marketing, outreach, reporting, and evaluation.
  • The Office may contract with a third-party administrator experienced in deploying solar and storage in overburdened communities.

5) Workforce training and entrepreneurship

  • The Office will work with DLWD, EDA, CSIT, and OSHE to create program guidelines for clean energy job training and workforce grants aimed at training at least 2,500 individuals from overburdened communities by 2025.
  • Programs to be updated every two years to stay current with job market needs.
  • DLWD, with community-based partners, to develop entrepreneurial and financial support programs for residents to start clean energy enterprises or pursue clean energy careers.

6) Solar readiness for new construction in overburdened communities

  • The Department of Community Affairs (in coordination with the Office) must require all new construction in overburdened communities to be solar-ready, with exemptions as deemed reasonable.
  • Preference to projects sited in overburdened communities and those that include minority- or women-owned businesses.
  • Adoption of rules under the Administrative Procedure Act; alignment with building codes and standards where applicable.

7) Community Solar Energy Pilot Program amendments

  • Extends and refines guidelines for the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program (from P.L.2018, c.17) to ensure access for low- and moderate-income customers and alignment with land-use provisions and the future permanent program.
  • Includes performance and verification standards, monthly reporting, and consumer protections.
  • Establishes phased capacity and marketplace targets, with eventual transition to a permanent program.

8) Rate study for multi-family housing

  • The board must study utility rate structures for multi-family housing served by a single meter and the impact of community solar credits, to ensure equitable benefits across dwelling types.
  • Board to report findings to the Governor and Legislature within 270 days of enactment.

Effective date

  • Takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Potential impact

  • Aims to dramatically broaden access to solar, storage, and energy-efficiency benefits for low-income and overburdened communities.
  • Prioritizes resilience, workforce development, minority/women-owned participation, and community engagement.
  • Creates a dedicated funding path within BPU to advance equitable clean energy deployment and related economic opportunities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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