In working towards the adoption of biomass conversion to electricity as a New Jersey Class I renewable energy source, New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program has provided financial incentives and registration for renewable energy certificates (RECs) to biopower projects built in New Jersey since 2002. 

Note that starting with fiscal year 2017, biopower projects will be incentivized through the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Program. 

Some of the biopower projects that have received incentives in recent years include those at wastewater treatment plants that generate electricity and thermal energy from the biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge, and those at landfills where electricity is generated with the methane produced from the decay of organic materials in the landfills.

Sustainable Biopower Solicitation Results

FY2014

Trenton Biogas LLC submitted the only application in this Solicitation, proposing a 1,137 kW CHP project at the Mercer County Regional Sludge Management facility in Trenton.  The Solicitation Evaluation Committee (Committee) denied the application for failing to satisfy the Solicitation’s eligibility requirements on net metering and interconnection and for failing to submit a signed contract for the system’s installation.

FY2015 - Round One

Applications were submitted by the Gloucester County Utilities Authority (GCUA) for a 1,266 kW CHP project at its Water Pollution Control Facility in West Deptford, and by the Village of Ridgewood for the construction of a micro-grid from its existing CHP system to an adjacent public water well. In an Order dated March 18, 2015, the Board accepted Staff’s and the Solicitation Evaluation Committee’s recommendation to deny GCUA’s application for failing to meet the Solicitation’s eligibility requirement of having 100% of the feedstock derived from a Class 1 biomass resource, and to deny Ridgewood’s application due to missing or incomplete documents and inconsistent technical information.

FY2015 - Round Two

GCUA resubmitted its application with modifications to address the 100% Class 1 feedstock issue cited in the denial of its Round One application. In an Order dated June 17, 2015, the Board accepted Staff’s and the Solicitation Evaluation Committee’s recommendation to deny GCUA’s application because it failed to achieve a minimum threshold score on the Solicitation’s evaluation criteria.

FY 2015 Sustainable Biopower Competitive Solicitation Application

FY 2015 Biopower Solicitation Program Forms
FY 2015 Biopower Sustainability Determination Information Sheet

Biopower Feasibility Studies

During 2012 and 2013 incentives were provided to the following entities to help them conduct biopower feasibility studies. Feasibility study incentives are no longer offered.  

• Bergen County Utilities Authority
• Township of Livingston
• Township of Ocean

Program Contacts

Correspondence and inquiries should be directed to:
New Jersey's Clean Energy Program
Phone: 866-NJSMART (866-657-6278)
Email:  chp@njcleanenergy.com