Pennington Borough Council Considers Call for Data Center Ban
Pennington resident Jack Giacobbe urged the Borough Council to prohibit data center construction, citing potential impacts on water supplies, wildlife, noise, electricity demand and nearby open space. Council members acknowledged the concerns and said the issue would be reviewed before being scheduled for a work session, but no ban has been adopted.
Pennington resident Jack Giacobbe asked the Borough Council to consider an ordinance banning data centers, working with the Climate Revolution Action Network. He and fellow student Noah Gelbwasser cited potential noise, watershed and wildlife impacts, heavy water use for cooling, strain on the power grid and possible increases in electricity costs.
Councilman John Valenza acknowledged the environmental and financial concerns while questioning some claims, and Mayor James Davy said data centers raise land-use issues requiring Planning Board review. Council President Nadine Stern and other officials directed Giacobbe to related efforts in Hopewell Township and Mercer County; Davy said he would conduct an internal review and schedule a future work session. No ordinance has yet been introduced or approved.