A bill which would permit the development of solar, photovoltaic and wind energy facilities on closed landfills or quarries was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 33-0, conforming to the Governor’s conditional veto on the bill.
The bill, S-2126, as amended would provide that, notwithstanding any existing law, local ordinance or regulation, that the development of solar and photovoltaic energy facilities or structures on any closed landfill or quarry, or an existing or closed resource extraction operation, be a permitted land use in every municipality in the State, including areas preserved under the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. Under the bill, the Pinelands Commission would be required to review any application for the development of a renewable energy facility on the site of a closed landfill or quarry, and determine that the development is in conformance with the applicable standards of the management plan. The bill would also include wind energy facilities as a permitted use in areas not already under the protection of the Pinelands management plan.
The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration, before going to the Governor again to be signed into law.
