Data centers banned in Cranbury as advocates push for statewide moratorium
Advocates argue that state-level action is necessary to ensure consistent protections for all New Jersey residents
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Cranbury has become the latest New Jersey municipality to ban data centers, joining a growing statewide movement as advocates continue pushing for a broader state-level moratorium.
The Cranbury Township Committee voted to prohibit data centers within town limits following months of organizing by local residents and the Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN), a grassroots youth-led organization campaigning for local restrictions across New Jersey.
Committeewoman Eman El-Badawi emphasized the importance of proactive measures to protect the community. Town officials noted the restrictions are designed to safeguard local environments, infrastructure, and residents' quality of life from the impacts of the industry.
While New Jersey currently has more municipalities banning data centers than any other state, local ordinances only apply to the towns that pass them. In response, CRAN and allied environmental groups are calling on Governor Mikie Sherrill and the state legislature to enact a three-year statewide moratorium and establish codified safeguards against rising utility bills, noise pollution, and air emissions.
Advocates argue that state-level action is necessary to ensure consistent protections for all New Jersey residents, pointing to coalition partners like the Pinelands Alliance, Food & Water Watch, and Sustain South Jersey that are supporting the push for broader regulatory controls.
