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S 3308

Relates to the reinstatement of state recognition and acknowledgement of the Montaukett Indian Nation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 1 co-sponsor

Requires utilities to accept, process, and approve Level 3 interconnection for grid-supply solar up to 20 MW (and some storage), with timelines and cost rules.

SUBSTITUTED BY A5295
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Bill Summary · S 3308

Summary — S.3308 (Reprinted / amended)

Relates to the reinstatement of state recognition and acknowledgement of the Montaukett Indian Nation

Note: multiple amended versions circulated. The bill (as amended in committee) became law as P.L.2025, c.7 (approved Jan. 30, 2025) and was later substituted by A5295 (June 2025). Readers should consult the enrolled law or substitute bill for the current operative text.

Purpose

To streamline and standardize interconnection of mid-sized grid supply solar facilities (and, in committee amendments, certain energy storage facilities) to New Jersey electric utilities’ transmission and distribution systems — promoting quicker approvals and clearer processes for projects up to 20 MW (AC).

Key provisions

  • Scope: Requires each electric public utility to accept, process, and approve any Level 3 interconnection application for a grid supply solar facility (≤20 MW AC). Committee amendments apply many provisions also to energy storage facilities.
  • Grounds for rejection: Utilities may reject or delay action only if the application is incomplete (per utility-developed criteria/protocols consistent with BPU orders/rules) or if interconnection would be unsafe or pose a risk to system stability, reliability, or power quality. Utilities must provide guidance to cure incompleteness or to modify proposals that pose system risks.
  • Processing timelines: Utilities must timely process complete Level 3 applications under their Level 3 processes and applicable tariffs and provide an initial feasibility study to the applicant within 90 days of receiving a complete application (as added by committee amendments).
  • Interconnection and facilities: Approved projects must be permitted to interconnect provided owners/developers comply with the utility’s tariff/process and agree to pay required interconnection costs identified by the utility. Utilities are required, upon application, to extend interconnection facilities using existing utility infrastructure (e.g., poles, rights-of-way). Line extensions/upgrades are paid by the applicant unless a subsequent BPU order modifies cost allocation.
  • Compensation and market access: Earlier versions required compensation by the utility to grid supply solar facilities for electricity supplied on a real-time basis at the point of interconnection and required commercially reasonable efforts to access PJM wholesale markets. Floor amendments later removed an explicit statutory compensation mandate; committee amendments specified any compensation that qualifies as wholesale must comply with federal law (PURPA/FPA). The bill also contemplates “grid services compensation” (payments for services supporting the grid) subject to BPU approval.
  • Definitions & incentives: Clarifies definitions (grid supply solar facility — wholesale-selling solar connected to the distribution/transmission system, excluding net-metered, on-site, aggregated, remote net-metered, and community solar). Facilities connected under the law are eligible for applicable State incentives, subject to BPU approval for program participation.
  • BPU rulemaking: Committee amendments required the Board of Public Utilities to adopt implementing rules within 210 days (up from 120) after the act’s effective date.

Who is affected

  • Developers, owners, and operators of grid supply solar projects ≤20 MW (and energy storage developers/operators under amended text).
  • Electric public utilities operating New Jersey distribution and transmission systems.
  • New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (rulemaking and oversight).
  • Electricity markets (PJM) and wholesale/retail buyers to the extent projects seek market access or produce wholesale transactions.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Initial feasibility study: within 90 days of a complete application (committee amendment).
  • BPU to adopt rules to implement the act within 210 days of effectiveness (committee amendment).
  • Costs for interconnection extensions/upgrades are initially allocated to applicants unless BPU modifies methodology later.

Legislative status

  • Introduced: May 20, 2024. Passed both houses (Dec. 19, 2024). Approved as P.L.2025, c.7 (Jan. 30, 2025). Later substituted by A5295 (June 2025). Consult the final enrolled law (P.L.2025, c.7) and/or A5295 for the current operative provisions and any post-enactment changes.

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

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