Jersey City Council votes to ban data centers on industrial property
Officials argue that data centers will not offer many jobs to locals. They also say it would be an unnecessary waste of resources like electricity and water.
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The Jersey City Council voted in favor of a ban against data centers being the primary use of industrial property during a meeting this week.
Officials argue that data centers will not offer many jobs to locals. They also say it would be an unnecessary waste of resources like electricity and water.
RELATED: Should New Jersey pause AI data center development?
“Growing up in Jersey City, growing up in Greenville, we delt with a lot of pollutants here over the years,” said Councilman Michael Griffin. “Those types of data centers that use heavy diesel and water, cause air pollution... It is something that we don’t need.”
“When a data center plugs into the grid, billionaire companies reap the profits and Jersey City families get the bill,” said Ward D Councilmember Jake Ephros. “Our residents are already stretched thin by rising utility costs. We refuse to let working people subsidize data centers at the expense of our community so that the wealthiest corporations on earth can get a little wealthier.”
Jersey City is not alone in their view of data centers. Howell made a similar decision earlier this week.
A total of 35 cities and towns in New Jersey have worked to ban the facilities as well.
RELATED: Gov. Mikie Sherrill wants transparency, accountability about new data centers coming to NJ
