New Brunswick City Council Blocks Data Center, Plans Park After Resident Objections

New Brunswick City Council voted NO to a data center and YES to a park. This is a big change from plans that could raise utility bills.
By Newsroom | Local Government, Technology |

New Brunswick, New Jersey – A proposal to build a data center in New Brunswick has been cancelled after strong objections from residents and environmental advocates. The city council voted to block the project, opting instead to create a public park on the proposed site. This decision reflects growing concerns nationwide about the impact of data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, on local resources and infrastructure.

The area had become a focal point for debate as the demand for data centers surges, driven by the rapid growth of AI. Even without a specific proposal on the table, the mere possibility of a data center being built in New Brunswick sparked apprehension among residents. The council's decision indicates a shift in how these facilities are perceived, moving from potential economic benefits to a source of local strain.

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Big Tech wants more data centers. Residents in this New Jersey city said not here. - 1

Background: The Growing Demand for Data Centers

Data centers are crucial for storing and processing the vast amounts of information needed to power modern technology, including AI. Their expansion has been a significant trend, particularly in New Jersey, a state with a notable presence of such facilities. However, this growth has also brought to light concerns regarding their substantial consumption of electricity and water, as well as their environmental footprint.

Timeline of Events in New Brunswick

  • Prior to the meeting: Residents and environmental groups became aware of the potential for a data center to be built in New Brunswick.

  • Wednesday evening: A New Brunswick City Council meeting was held.

  • Hundreds of residents and environmental advocates attended to voice their concerns.

  • Key issues raised included potential increases in electricity and water bills, and the environmental impact of data centers.

  • The council voted to cancel plans for the data center.

  • Plans to build a public park on the site were announced.

  • Post-vote: The decision in New Brunswick is seen as part of a broader trend of local resistance to data center development.

Community Concerns and Objections

Residents of New Brunswick expressed significant apprehension about the potential data center. Their objections centered on several key areas:

Big Tech wants more data centers. Residents in this New Jersey city said not here. - 2

  • Increased Utility Costs: A primary concern was that the massive energy and water demands of a data center would lead to higher electricity and water bills for local residents. Some lawmakers in New Jersey have also voiced similar concerns about AI's impact on these costs statewide.

  • Environmental Impact: Environmental advocates and residents raised alarms about the ecological consequences of data centers. These facilities require significant resources and can contribute to environmental strain.

  • Local Land Use: The proposal was seen by some as incompatible with community needs and existing land use plans, particularly when compared to the alternative of a public park.

"Many people did not want this in their neighborhood." - Bruce Morgan, New Brunswick NAACP president

"It was going to be a small data center (27,000 square feet; the average data center in New Jersey is actually more than 400 percent bigger than that.) However, many New Brunswick residents were extremely concerned a data center would increase their electric bills." - New Brunswick Patch

Wider Implications for New Jersey

The rejection of the data center in New Brunswick is not an isolated incident. It highlights a growing tension across New Jersey and potentially other regions, where municipalities seek economic development but face pushback from communities concerned about the downsides of large industrial facilities like data centers.

The AI Data Center Boom

The rapid advancement and adoption of AI technologies have accelerated the need for powerful computing infrastructure, leading to a surge in demand for data centers. These facilities are the physical backbone of AI development and deployment.

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Big Tech wants more data centers. Residents in this New Jersey city said not here. - 3

  • AI data centers house the servers and infrastructure needed to train and run AI models.

  • They consume substantial amounts of electricity and water.

  • The industry uses resources like rare earth metals.

A National Trend of Resistance

Reports indicate similar community opposition to data center proposals in other locations, such as San Marcos, Texas, and Clarmore, Oklahoma. This pattern suggests that local communities are increasingly scrutinizing the impacts of these facilities.

Alternative Visions: Parks Over Powerhouses

In New Brunswick, the decision to cancel the data center plans and instead build a public park signifies a community prioritizing green space and quality of life over industrial development. This outcome represents a direct response to resident advocacy.

Big Tech wants more data centers. Residents in this New Jersey city said not here. - 4

  • The proposed data center was to be 27,000 square feet.

  • The council voted unanimously to amend the redevelopment plan to remove data centers as a permitted use at 100 Jersey Avenue.

  • Plans for a public park were restored for the site.

"And it’s time to build communities, not data centers." - Common Dreams

Industry Perspective and Future Outlook

While local communities voice concerns, industry groups emphasize the economic opportunities data centers can bring. Jon Hukill, a spokesperson for the Data Center Coalition, an industry advocacy group, suggests that New Jersey and the nation risk missing out on economic and technological advancements if they do not embrace data center growth.

However, the events in New Brunswick suggest a recalibration of this perspective, where local impact is weighing heavily against potential economic gains.

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Conclusion and Next Steps

The New Brunswick City Council's decision to reject the proposed data center in favor of a public park demonstrates the significant influence of community opposition on development projects. The concerns about utility costs and environmental impact, echoed by state lawmakers, point to a critical juncture in New Jersey's approach to data center expansion.

  • Findings: Community opposition can effectively halt data center development, even when driven by the broader AI boom. Residents' concerns about resource consumption and utility costs are paramount.

  • Implications: This event may serve as a precedent for other municipalities facing similar proposals. It signals a need for developers and local governments to more thoroughly address community impacts.

  • Next Steps: The focus in New Brunswick will now shift to the planning and development of the new public park. Ongoing dialogue regarding the balance between technological growth and community well-being is likely to continue across New Jersey.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the New Brunswick City Council cancel the data center plan?
The city council voted to cancel the data center proposal because many residents and environmental groups strongly objected. They were worried about higher electricity and water bills and the project's environmental impact.
Q: What will be built on the site instead of the data center in New Brunswick?
Instead of the data center, the city council decided to build a public park on the land. This decision came after residents voiced their preference for green space over industrial development.
Q: What were the main concerns residents had about the data center?
Residents were mainly concerned that the data center's large need for electricity and water would make their own utility bills go up. They also worried about the environmental effects of such a facility.
Q: Is this happening only in New Brunswick, or is it a wider trend?
This is part of a wider trend. Similar community opposition to data centers is being seen in other places like San Marcos, Texas, and Clarmore, Oklahoma. People are questioning the local impact of these large tech facilities.
Q: What is the connection between data centers and AI?
AI needs a lot of computing power, which is provided by data centers. The growth of AI has increased the demand for these centers, but also raised concerns about their resource use, like electricity and water.