AI Data Center Fears Spark Packed Ocean County Meeting
A packed Lacey Township Committee meeting revealed strong resident opposition to potential data center development at the former Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station property. Residents voiced concerns about electricity and water usage, noise, and overdevelopment, urging officials to proactively ban such facilities. Officials clarified no proposal has been submitted, but acknowledged the need to consider future land use protections.
Residents of Lacey, Ocean County, New Jersey, packed a recent Township Committee meeting, expressing significant concerns over the potential development of artificial intelligence data centers, particularly at the former Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station property. This public outcry was triggered by online speculation following a simple agenda item discussing data centers.
Mayor Steve Kennis repeatedly stressed that no data center proposals have been submitted for any location in Lacey, including the Oyster Creek site, which is still undergoing decommissioning. However, the controversy highlighted data centers as a highly contentious land use and environmental issue in New Jersey. Kennis had previously attended a presentation by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Pinelands Municipal Council, which focused on the increasing pressure for data center development in South Jersey and the importance for municipalities to review zoning and land use protections proactively.
Jason Howell of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance urged Lacey officials to follow other New Jersey towns, such as Monroe Township, Waterford Township, and Millville, that have adopted or considered restrictions on data centers due to their heavy demands on electricity and water. Residents like Caitlin Allsopp and Teresa Barry voiced fears about rising electric bills, groundwater depletion, noise pollution, wildfire risks, and the conversion of warehouses into data centers, advocating for a township-wide ban.
While most attendees opposed data centers, local resident and mechanical engineer Marty Hastings, who has three decades of experience in data center operations, encouraged an open mind. He argued that modern facilities are heavily regulated for environmental impacts and can bring economic benefits and lower taxes. Deputy Mayor Robert Laureigh assured residents that the committee is in early discussions, has not reached a consensus, and is prioritizing community character over big business interests.