Plainfield City Council considers citywide ban on data centers
Plainfield officials are proposing a citywide ban on data centers due to environmental and economic concerns, including high electricity and water consumption, grid strain, and noise. The City Council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for August 10.
Plainfield, New Jersey officials are taking steps to enact a citywide ban on data centers, citing significant environmental and economic concerns. On July 13, the City Council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance, proposed by Councilwoman Darcella Sessomes, that would prohibit data centers across all zoning districts within the city.
The proposed ordinance highlights growing public apprehension regarding data centers' potential impacts, specifically mentioning high electricity and water consumption, increased strain on the electrical grid, rising energy costs, and generation of heat and noise. Furthermore, the council asserts that data centers are not compatible with the city's existing Master Plan and land use ordinances, finding them unsuitable for residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas.
If adopted, the measure would explicitly bar any property from being developed or used as a data center and would prevent the issuance of any municipal approvals for such facilities unless future amendments to the Master Plan specifically permit them. A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance are slated for the council's August 10 meeting.