All the regional infrastructure news that’s fit to email. Get the TLDR in this edition of Infrastructure Update.
NJDEP Releases Final FY2026–27 Water Infrastructure Investment Plan
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection published its Final Clean Water and Drinking Water Intended Use Plans for FY2026–27 on May 21, outlining the state’s priorities for allocating federal and state financing through the New Jersey Water Bank. The IUP establishes the project priority lists, funding packages, and eligibility criteria that determine which municipal drinking‑water, wastewater, and stormwater projects receive subsidized loans and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars. According to NJDEP, the Water Bank “provides low‑cost financing for the design, construction, and implementation of projects that help to protect, maintain and improve water quality and ensure safe drinking water.” The updated lists include hundreds of projects under active review, from lead‑service‑line replacement to treatment‑plant upgrades. This is the state’s most important annual planning document for water infrastructure investment.
Read more: NJDEP| Water Infrastructure Investment Plan | Intended Use Plan and Project Priority Lists
New Jersey Joins Multistate Lawsuit Over Canceled Offshore Wind Leases
New Jersey has joined New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont in suing the U.S. Department of the Interior over the cancellation of Attentive Energy’s offshore wind leases, originally purchased for $795 million. The leases were expected to support 2.7 GW of offshore wind, enough to power 1.3 million homes. Attorney General Jennifer Davenport called the cancellation “a lawless attack on clean energy development,” arguing it will raise costs and undermine grid reliability. The lawsuit seeks to void the federal settlement, restore the leases, and prevent further implementation of the cancellation agreement. Offshore wind development in New Jersey has largely stalled following the collapse of Ocean Wind 1 & 2 and delays at Atlantic Shores, making this legal challenge a major pivot point for the state’s clean‑energy strategy.
Read more: New Jersey joins lawsuit over canceled offshore wind leases
Samsung Leaving Englewood Cliffs for Texas
In a major corporate shift, Samsung Electronics America confirmed it will relocate its U.S. headquarters from Englewood Cliffs to Plano, Texas by the end of 2026 — just nine months after opening its 312,000‑square‑foot New Jersey campus. The move affects roughly 1,200 employees and follows Samsung’s broader consolidation near its semiconductor and mobile‑network operations in Austin and Plano. Business groups blamed New Jersey’s high taxes and regulatory climate, while Texas officials touted their “pro‑business environment.” The departure marks one of the most significant corporate exits from New Jersey in recent years, raising concerns about competitiveness and long‑term economic strategy.
Read more: Samsung leaving Englewood Cliffs NJ for Texas. Here’s why
Assembly Panel Advances $50B ‘Polluters Pay’ Bill Targeting Fossil Fuel Firms
The Assembly Environment Committee advanced the Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey Affordable Act, which would require major fossil‑fuel extractors — specifically Shell, ExxonMobil, and BP — to pay $50 billion over 20 years for climate‑related damages. Supporters argue the companies “profited enormously” while contributing to climate impacts that now burden New Jersey taxpayers. Business groups warned the costs will ultimately fall on consumers and predicted years of litigation. Funds would support climate‑adaptation projects statewide. The bill mirrors similar efforts in New York and Vermont and signals an aggressive new phase in New Jersey’s climate‑liability strategy.
Read more: NJ Assembly panel advances bill aimed at fining fossil fuel firms • New Jersey Monitor
Poll Shows Broad Support for Natural Gas Expansion in New Jersey
A new statewide poll shows strong bipartisan support for expanding natural‑gas infrastructure to improve grid reliability and lower energy costs. Voters cited rising electricity prices, PJM capacity shortages, and stalled offshore wind development as reasons to support new gas capacity. The findings come as lawmakers debate A4882, the Natural Gas Reliability Act, which would streamline upgrades to existing gas plants and firm‑capacity procurement.
New York Aims for 1GW of Nuclear Energy
New York has taken a major step toward expanding its clean‑energy portfolio, launching a search for developers to build at least 1 gigawatt of advanced nuclear capacity in Upstate New York. The New York Power Authority issued a Request for Qualifications for companies capable of delivering either a large‑scale reactor such as the AP1000 or an SMR like the BWRX‑300. The state also opened $40 million in workforce‑training grants to prepare welders, technicians, and operators. Gov. Hochul said the initiative positions New York to lead the next era of round‑the‑clock, emissions‑free power.
Nuclear Policy Task Force Members to Headline Rowan University Conference
Four members of Governor Sherrill’s newly formed Nuclear Policy Task Force will speak at Rowan University’s June 9 conference on expanding nuclear‑generation capacity. Speakers include BPU President Christine Guhl‑Sadovy, DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak, EDA CEO Evan Weiss, and Holtec’s Patrick O’Brien. The event focuses on the fiscal, regulatory, and workforce challenges of building new full‑scale reactors and SMRs. Rowan officials emphasized that nuclear must be part of New Jersey’s strategy to meet rising demand from electrification, manufacturing, and data‑center growth.
Read more: Rowan’s Conference on Nuclear Generation Capacity – BINJE | New Jersey Business News
