Paramus Mayor to Weigh Ban on Data Centers Amid Fears Over Power and Water
Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza is set to review a proposed ordinance that would prohibit data centers in every zoning district of the borough. The proposal is driven by concerns about electricity demand, water consumption, grid strain, noise and environmental impacts, but no final vote has been reported.
Paramus Mayor Christopher DiPiazza is scheduled to review a draft ordinance that would define data centers in the borough’s zoning code and make them nonpermitted uses in every zone. The Paramus Environmental Commission voted 5-0 in July to support the proposal, which cites concerns about electricity consumption, water use, noise, air quality, community character and long-term planning.
The draft says large data centers could place substantial demands on New Jersey’s power and water systems, amid broader debate over rising electricity costs and artificial intelligence-related load growth. Paramus has not yet voted on the ordinance, and the precise power-density threshold covered by the ban remains unclear. The proposal follows similar data center restrictions being considered elsewhere in New Jersey and a voter-approved restriction in Piqua, Ohio.