The bill establishes the Office of Clean Energy Equity within the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to ensure equitable access to clean energy resources for overburdened communities. This office will oversee the deployment of clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs, with a target of benefiting at least 250,000 low-income households through onsite or community solar initiatives by 2030. The BPU is mandated to allocate a minimum of 10% of its annual clean energy budget, or at least $50 million, to support the office's efforts. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the integration of workforce development training into clean energy programs, aiming to train at least 2,500 individuals from these communities by 2025.

Moreover, the bill includes provisions for the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to ensure that all new constructions in overburdened areas are solar-ready and prioritizes clean energy projects that involve minority or women-owned businesses. It also amends the existing Community Solar Energy Pilot Program to enhance access for low and moderate-income customers in the future permanent program. The BPU is tasked with conducting a study on utility rate schedules for multi-family housing to ensure equitable financial benefits from community solar participation, with findings to be reported to the Governor and Legislature within 270 days of the bill's enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48:3-87.11