Red Bank Bans Data Centers, Calls on New Jersey to Do the Same
Red Bank, New Jersey, has banned AI data centers within its borough by updating its planning and development laws. The borough council also passed a resolution urging the State of New Jersey to enact a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data centers until robust regulations regarding energy, water, noise, and labor are established. This action was supported by grassroots activists and local officials concerned about environmental and infrastructure impacts.
Red Bank, New Jersey, has become the latest municipality to ban artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, with the borough council unanimously voting to update its planning and development laws on Thursday night. Simultaneously, the council passed a resolution urging the State of New Jersey to implement a statewide pause on new large-scale data center construction until comprehensive regulations are established. This makes Red Bank the first New Jersey municipality to advocate for such a statewide moratorium.
Deputy Mayor Kate Triggiano emphasized that the local ban aims to protect the Red Bank community, but acknowledged the issue extends beyond its borders, necessitating statewide safeguards against environmental harm, infrastructure strain, and quality of life impacts. Mayor Billy Portman echoed these sentiments, supporting a statewide ban until the environmental and financial burdens of data centers on residents can be mitigated.
The "AI Accountability Proclamation" adopted by Red Bank calls for state-mandated public reporting of electricity and water use by large-scale AI data centers. It also seeks new statewide rules for data center siting, safeguards against noise, water consumption, and backup generator pollution, along with worker protections in the AI industry. These measures are supported by grassroots organizations like the Climate Revolution Action Network New Jersey (CRAN) and other environmental and labor groups, which have been assisting communities across the state in opposing data center development. CRAN Executive Director Ben Dziobek stated that Red Bank is "setting the standard for other towns to follow," providing a roadmap for state lawmakers to implement a statewide pause.