This bill amends existing legislation regarding the construction, installation, and operation of biomass, solar, and wind energy generation facilities on preserved farmland in New Jersey. 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 farmland that have been 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 mandates that landowners must obtain approval from the Department of Agriculture for any biomass energy facilities on any part of the farm, regardless of preservation status. The legislation aims to streamline the process for landowners while ensuring that energy generation does not significantly interfere with agricultural production. The bill also includes provisions for the committee to adopt necessary rules and regulations for implementation, and it specifies that no fees will be charged to landowners for the application review process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 4:1C-32.4