New Jersey Lawmakers Seek 6-Month Halt on Data Centers Above 10 Megawatts
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 21
New Jersey Lawmakers Seek 6-Month Halt on Data Centers Above 10 Megawatts
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 21
Summary
A New Jersey bill introduced last week would pause new data centers larger than 10 megawatts for six months, part of more than a dozen data-center measures lawmakers have proposed this session.
Sherrill tied the push to electricity affordability, saying fast-growing data-center demand is straining the PJM grid and contributing to supply constraints and higher costs for ratepayers.
Two laws signed last month already tightened oversight by requiring periodic water and electricity-use reports and ending a two-year-old $500 million tax-credit program for data-center development.
A diesel spill last week into a Hackensack River tributary sharpened the environmental debate, while Sherrill said towns should negotiate community benefits and decide whether projects fit locally.
Virginia's new restrictions also loom in the background: Sherrill said she has discussed policy with Gov. Abigail Spanberger, while criticizing Virginia for drawing power from PJM and pushing up regional rates.