Warren Township Committee Votes to Ban Data Centers
The Warren Township Committee in New Jersey has voted to ban data centers from operating locally due to concerns over energy grid strain, water supply impact, air quality, and noise pollution. This action follows similar bans in other New Jersey towns and a public poll showing support for such measures statewide. A committeeman is advocating for a statewide moratorium on large-scale data center development.
The Warren Township Committee in New Jersey recently voted to enact a ban on data centers operating within its jurisdiction. This decision makes Warren Township the latest community in the state to push back against data center construction, following similar actions in Asbury Park, Andover, and Red Bank.
Committeeman Daniel Croson, who introduced the ordinance, stated that the ban is intended to protect residents from issues such as strain on the energy grid and water supply, negative impacts on air quality, and noise pollution. Croson emphasized the need for broader action, calling on New Jersey to implement a statewide moratorium on new large-scale data center development until adequate protections for residents are in place.
The committee's vote aligns with public sentiment, as a recent Stockton University poll indicated that over half of New Jersey residents support banning new data centers in their communities. The state currently has nearly 100 data centers, and the issue continues to draw attention, with Governor Mikie Sherrill advocating for transparency and accountability regarding new data center projects in New Jersey.