This bill amends existing legislation regarding the construction, installation, and operation of biomass, solar, and wind energy generation facilities on preserved farmland. It specifies that prior approval from the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) is not required for energy projects located in farmland preservation exception areas, which are portions of farms excluded from preservation. However, if a landowner intends to construct such facilities on the preserved portion of the farm, they must still seek approval from the SADC. The bill also clarifies that the energy generation capacity is limited to the previous year's energy demand plus 10 percent or to occupying no more than one percent of the entire farm area, including both preserved and excluded portions.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for landowners proposing to install biomass energy facilities, stating that they must obtain approval from the Department of Agriculture regardless of whether the facilities are on preserved or excluded land. The bill also emphasizes that any construction in the Pinelands area must comply with existing regulations. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the approval process for renewable energy projects on farmland while maintaining necessary oversight for preserved areas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4:1C-32.4