Toms River Votes To Ban Data Centers Even Though Nobody's Proposed One Yet
The Toms River Township Council unanimously introduced an ordinance that would prohibit data centers, server farms and cryptocurrency-mining facilities throughout the township, despite no company having applied to build one. A second reading and public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9 before the council takes a final vote.
Toms River Township Council members unanimously introduced an ordinance banning data centers, server farms and cryptocurrency-mining facilities in all township zoning districts, including conditional-use zones. Council member David Ciccozzi said the initiative came from the council majority, while Council member Daniel Rodrick supported the ban but was not permitted to speak during the meeting. Officials said no data center application has been filed with the township's planning or zoning boards.
The ordinance remains subject to a second reading and public hearing scheduled for Dec. 9, after which the council is expected to take a final vote. The proposed restrictions reflect broader New Jersey concerns about data centers' noise, electricity demand, water consumption and potential effects on utility costs, amid a growing number of municipalities adopting similar bans or restrictions.