This bill amends the definition of "inherently beneficial use" within the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) to explicitly include energy storage projects that are either under or eligible for incentives from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The bill introduces a new definition for "energy storage program," which encompasses various initiatives such as the BPU's Successor Solar Incentive Program, the Competitive Solar Incentive Program, and the Garden State Energy Storage Program, among others.

Additionally, the bill makes several technical amendments to existing definitions within the MLUL. Notably, it clarifies that "inherently beneficial use" now includes energy storage projects alongside traditional uses like hospitals and schools. The bill aims to promote the development of energy storage solutions by recognizing their value to the community and facilitating their integration into local land use planning.