Howell Township, New Jersey Bans Data Centers
Howell Township, New Jersey, unanimously voted to ban data centers by amending its zoning code, making it the 33rd municipality in the state to do so. This action followed a successful resident-led effort to halt a proposed $1 billion data center and a six-month moratorium. Other towns like Jersey City are also implementing similar bans, while Governor Sherrill has proposed a statewide plan to regulate data centers.
Howell Township, New Jersey, has become the 33rd municipality in the state to enact a ban on data centers, with its all-Republican council voting unanimously on August 18 to amend the zoning code and prohibit data centers in all districts. This decision was supported by Mayor John Leggio and residents at a public hearing, following an ordinance introduced on July 14.
This ban comes after Howell residents successfully halted a proposed $1 billion data center project in December, driven by concerns over energy demand and grid impact. The township subsequently passed a six-month moratorium to develop a permanent ordinance. A resident emphasized the severity of data centers, stating they are "ten times worse than any warehouse."
Days after Howell's decision, Jersey City became the 34th municipality to ban data centers, specifically in industrial zones. Several other New Jersey towns, including Warren, Sayreville, Bayonne, and Neptune, have taken similar actions, with Cinnaminson, Jackson, North Brunswick, and South Brunswick having bans awaiting a second reading. Cumulatively, over 1 million New Jersey residents now live in areas where data centers are prohibited.
State-level discussions are also underway, as Governor Sherrill announced a plan in May to hold data centers accountable while fostering AI competition, proposing fair-share infrastructure rules and statewide negotiation standards for towns and developers. This plan is currently progressing through the legislative process.