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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) recently approved 105 applications to participate in Program Year Two of the State’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. The projects represent almost 165 MW of solar energy capacity, enough to power an estimated 33,000 homes. The Community Solar Program is a key component of Governor Murphy’s clean energy agenda aimed at achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050. All of the approved awards will serve low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities.

Archer client Altus Power, a Blackstone company, was among the largest individual recipients of New Jersey Community Solar Pilot year 2 project awards in both the number of approved projects and in the percentage of solar energy capacity.

When completed, the Altus projects will generate approximately 35 megawatts (MW) of power and will allocate at least 51 percent of the clean energy generated to historically underserved communities in the state. The projects will be rooftop-based solar systems located on Link Logistics’ commercial and industrial facilities throughout New Jersey. The projects will also include electric vehicle charging stations at each facility.

Rick Mroz, Senior Director of Archer Public Affairs, and former NJBPU President, welcomed this good news saying, “Altus Power and Blackstone teams have the right people in place, the right priorities in order, and the resources needed to develop and deliver excellent Community Solar Projects in New Jersey. It is a pleasure to work with the Altus team and with The Blackstone Group.”

Archer partner James Boyd, a member of Archer’s Energy and Utilities Group and former NJBPU Counsel, commented on the award saying, “As a former BPU attorney, having helped develop the Community Solar program and the associated regulations, Altus exemplifies the type of company and portfolio of Community Solar Projects that will provide access to the benefits of solar energy to low and moderate income families in New Jersey, as well as other homes and businesses that would otherwise not be able to access solar energy as part of their electricity use.”

The NJBPU announced a series of stakeholder meetings to provide information on the process by which the Community Solar Pilot program will be established as a permanent program in New Jersey through new rules, regulations, and an ongoing application process. Archer and Archer Public Affairs will continue to serve clients through this rulemaking and stakeholder process and we are available to assist in advocacy and with legal considerations throughout the process.

You can find the Altus Power press release here and the official NJBPU Board Order that identifies all awards and includes a description of the impending stakeholder and rulemaking process here.

Our Energy & Utilities Groups at Archer and Archer Public Affairs will be actively following these stakeholder efforts and working with clients to present opinions on these important policy and regulatory issues.

If you would like to discuss these matters further or if we can assist you, please contact Richard Mroz at 856.261.3066 or Richard.Mroz@archerpublicaffairs.com, or Robert Bucknam, Jr. at 856.354.3025 or rbucknam@archerlaw.com, or James Boyd at 609.580.3711 or jaboyd@archerlaw.com, or David Weinstein at 856.857.2787 or dweinstein@archerlaw.com.