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Requires submission of energy usage plan to BPU for proposed artificial intelligence data centers; requires all electricity for artificial intelligence data centers to be derived from new clean energy sources.
In one paragraph
New Jersey's A 1170 would require, once the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) finds that a majority of PJM-region states have adopted similar rules, that all electricity for AI data centers come from new verifiable Class I renewable or nuclear energy, and that anyone applying for local approval of an AI data center submit an energy usage plan to the BPU for approval. Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee January 13, 2026; it has not passed either house.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
If enacted, AI data center developers and operators in New Jersey would have to get BPU approval of an energy usage plan and source new clean or nuclear power, once the BPU finds a majority of PJM states have similar rules.
Key provisions
- Section 3a: after the BPU publishes its finding, all electricity supplied to an AI data center in New Jersey would have to come from new verifiable Class I renewable energy, nuclear power plant energy, or both, with no net decrease of such energy supplied to the grid
- Section 3b: after that finding, anyone applying for local development approval of an AI data center would have to submit an energy usage plan to the BPU at the same time, covering how it will use clean power, cut cooling energy, optimize water use, optimize ventilation and weatherproofing, and reuse server heat
- The BPU would have 90 days to approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove a plan; after a disapproval the applicant would have 30 days to submit a revised plan
- No AI data center could connect to the transmission and distribution system without BPU approval of its energy usage plan
- Section 4: the BPU would monitor other PJM states and publish its finding within 30 days after finding that a majority have adopted similar requirements; the clean-power and plan-submission duties in sections 3a and 3b start only after that finding
- Would take effect immediately upon enactment; identical to S 680, which the Senate Environment and Energy Committee reported March 16, 2026 and referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations
Latest legislative action
Jan 13, 2026. Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
Sponsors (showing 5 of 15)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Calabrese, Clinton D | Primary |
| Danielsen, Joe D | Primary |
| Freiman, Roy D | Primary |
| Gove, DiAnne C. | Primary |
| Jasey, Mila M. | Primary |
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