NEW JERSEY: Legislature passes renewable energy laws
On January 16, 2010, the New Jersey Legislature passed several laws regarding the regulation of renewable energy. Below is a summary of these three bills: S1538/A2859 Concerns biomass, solar, and wind energy generation on farms Allows solar and wind energy generation on preserved farms under certain circumstances and includes solar and wind energy generation on…
On January 16, 2010, the New Jersey Legislature passed several laws regarding the regulation of renewable energy. Below is a summary of these three bills:
S1538/A2859 Concerns biomass, solar, and wind energy generation on farms
Allows solar and wind energy generation on preserved farms under certain circumstances and includes solar and wind energy generation on commercial farms as protected activities/permitted use under the “Right to Farm Act.”
• Certain distinctions between preserved farms and non-preserved farms.
• Preserved farms limited to 110% of annual onsite consumption
• Applications will go to SADC (State Agricultural Development Committee) not to the municipality.
S2528/A3740 Provides for regulation of small wind energy systems by municipalities
Ordinances adopted by municipalities to regulate the installation and operation of small wind energy systems shall not unreasonably limit such installations or unreasonably hinder the performance of such installations. Unreasonable limits or hindrances to performance shall include the following:
• Prohibiting small wind energy systems in all districts within the municipality
• Restricting tower height or system height through application of a generic ordinance or regulation on height that does not specifically address allowable tower height or system height of a small wind energy system
• Requiring a setback from property boundaries for a tower that is greater than 150 percent of the system height. In a municipality that does not adopt specific setback requirements for small wind energy systems, any small wind energy system shall be set back from the nearest property boundary a distance at least equal to 150 percent of the system height; provided, however, that this requirement may be modified by the zoning board of adjustment upon application in an individual case if the applicant establishes the conditions for a variance under this act
• Setting a noise level limit lower than 55 decibels, as measured at the site property line, or not allowing for limit overages during short-term events such as utility outages and severe wind storms
• Setting electrical or structural design criteria that exceed applicable State, federal or international building or electrical codes or laws.
As amended, the bill provides for the regulation of small wind energy systems by municipalities. Specifically, the bill prohibits municipalities from adopting ordinances or resolutions regarding the installation and operation of small wind energy systems that unreasonably limit such installations or unreasonably hinder the performance of such installations. . Information on this law can be found here.
S1096/A3218 Creates Solar and Wind Energy Commission
This bill would create the Solar and Wind Energy Commission to 45 study the feasibility of solar and wind energy installation on State owned property.
• The commission would make recommendations and report on the findings and conclusions of the study.
• The study would investigate all State owned property that could feasibly support solar or wind energy installations, including buildings and land.
• The commission would research the financial implications of installing and maintaining solar or wind energy and the projected energy and financial savings to the State, including the potential for net metering.
• The commission would include a discussion of property values, land use, community impact, planning and development, and environmental factors related to the State owned property sites where solar or wind energy installations are feasible.
To review the actual content of each bill click here. Just type in the bill number under the “Bill Search” section on the top right of the webpage and it will bring up the bill.
Source: Skylands Renewable Energy, LLC