On November 16, 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) announced a redesigned Community Energy Plan Grant Program, which significantly simplifies the application process and places a greater emphasis on equity and environmental justice.
On October 25, 2021 and October 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) provided updated guidance to help employers with the influx of religious accommodations from job applicants and employees pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, masking requirements, and testing requirements.
On November 10, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 274, which sets a new near-term target for the reduction of New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 2006 levels by the year 2030. Previously, pursuant to the Global Warming Response Act, N.J.S.A. 26:2C-37, New Jersey sought a statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by the year 2050.
On October 20, 2021, Governor Murphy announced a proposal to inject the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres Program with over $100 million.