New Jersey must do more to protect residents from AI & crypto data centers
New Jersey residents and environmental groups are increasingly concerned about the significant electricity and water consumption of data centers, arguing the state lacks adequate safeguards. Local communities are enacting bans and considering moratoriums, while state legislative efforts propose stricter regulations on data center costs and resource disclosures. Activists are urging Governor Sherrill to implement a statewide moratorium and robust protections.
The article criticizes New Jersey's current approach to data center development, arguing the state lacks adequate safeguards against their economic and environmental impacts. It highlights that these facilities consume vast amounts of electricity, stressing the PJM grid, and millions of gallons of water from the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer. Environmental impact statements are often delayed, and the state's redevelopment law allows for industrial zoning of natural areas without sufficient public notification, making it difficult for residents to oppose projects once filed.
Sixty environmental and community groups have urged Governor Rebecca Sherrill to implement stronger protections, citing negative experiences in cities like Vineland and Monroe. The article notes that local communities such as Pemberton, Monroe, and North Hanover have taken action by passing ordinances banning data centers outright, while others are considering moratoriums. A petition against unchecked development has gathered nearly 7,500 signatures, and a recent poll shows 65% of registered voters favor a pause.
State legislative efforts are underway, with bills proposing to require large data centers to pay a significant portion of their electricity costs for a decade, mandate semi-annual disclosures of energy and water use, and prohibit non-disclosure agreements that silence local officials. While Governor Sherrill has promised that energy-intensive facilities will rely on clean power and that developers will bear infrastructure costs, residents are pushing for a comprehensive, enforceable three-year statewide moratorium to allow lawmakers to establish robust regulations regarding environmental impact, resource use, and community consent.