PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO

We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations with regard to environmental matters. Our associated obligations change as legislatures and regulators pass new laws and regulations and amend existing ones. Therefore, it is difficult to project future costs of compliance and their impact on competition. The costs of compliance associated with any new requirements that may be imposed by future regulations are not known but may be material.

For additional information related to environmental matters, including proceedings not discussed below, as well as anticipated expenditures for installation of compliance technology, hazardous substance liabilities and fuel and waste disposal costs, see Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item 8. Note 12. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities.

Air Pollution Control

Our facilities are subject to federal, state and local regulation that requires controls of emissions from sources of air pollution and imposes recordkeeping, reporting and permit requirements.

Water Pollution Control

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from point sources to water, except pursuant to a duly issued permit. These permits must generally be renewed every five years. Applicable regulations also impose obligations on facility operators like PSEG Power to install certain technology to treat their discharges to ensure discharges meet certain water quality requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 316(b) rule establishes requirements for the regulation of cooling water intakes at existing power plants, such as Salem.

Hazardous Substance Liability

PSEG’s operations involve substances and byproducts classified by environmental regulations as hazardous. These regulations impose handling, storage and disposal requirements for hazardous materials. They also impose liability for damages to the environment, including cash penalties.

Site Remediation—Federal and state environmental laws and regulations require the cleanup of discharged hazardous substances. They authorize the EPA, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and private parties to commence lawsuits to compel clean-ups or seek reimbursement for such remediation. The clean-ups can be more complicated and costly when the hazardous substances are in or under a body of water. Clean-up obligations may be imposed regardless of the absence of fault, contractual agreements between parties, or the legality of activities at the time of discharge.

In May 2024, the EPA finalized revisions to the coal combustion residuals rule (CCR Rule) which established new requirements for the investigation and, if necessary, the cleanup of certain types of coal ash placed at certain fossil generation station sites, including certain sites owned or formerly owned by PSEG Power. We are in the process of investigating each of the sites that we currently own that are subject to the CCR Rule, as well as sites that we formerly owned that are subject to the CCR Rule where we retained certain environmental obligations to investigate and, if necessary, remediate. PSEG is currently unable to estimate the impact of the CCR Rule, but it could have a material impact on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

Natural Resource Damages—Federal and state environmental laws and regulations authorize damage assessments against persons who have caused an injury to natural resources through the discharge of a hazardous substance. The NJDEP requires persons conducting remediation to address such injuries through restoration or damage assessments.

Wildlife and Habitat Protection

Federal and state environmental laws and regulations govern activities that may harm certain wildlife or habitats. These laws and regulations impose permit requirements, prohibit certain activities, and impose penalties for violations.

In December 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to designate the monarch butterfly as a “threatened” species under the federal Endangered Species Act. PSEG is unable to determine the impact of this development.

Fuel and Waste Disposal

Nuclear Fuel Disposal—The federal government has entered into contracts with the operators of nuclear power plants for transportation and ultimate disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (NWPA), nuclear plant owners are required to contribute to a Nuclear Waste Fund to pay for this service. Since May 2014, the nuclear waste fee rate has been zero. No assurances can be given that this fee will not be increased in the future. The NWPA allows spent nuclear fuel generated in any reactor to be stored in reactor facility storage pools or in Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations located at reactors or away from reactor sites.

We have on-site storage facilities that are expected to satisfy the storage needs of Salem 1, Salem 2, Hope Creek, Peach Bottom 2 and Peach Bottom 3 through the end of their operating licenses.

Low-Level Radioactive Waste—As a by-product of their operations, nuclear generation units produce low-level radioactive waste. Such waste includes paper, plastics, protective clothing, water purification materials and other materials. These waste materials are accumulated on site and disposed of at licensed permanent disposal facilities. New Jersey, Connecticut and South Carolina have reached an agreement that gives New Jersey nuclear generators continued access to a waste disposal facility which is owned by South Carolina. We believe that this agreement will provide for adequate low-level radioactive waste disposal for Salem and Hope Creek through the end of their current licenses including full decommissioning, although no assurances can be given. Additionally, there are on-site storage facilities for Salem, Hope Creek and Peach Bottom, which we believe have the capacity for at least five years of temporary storage for each facility.