A city at the center of an AI data center frenzy just voted to ban them

In a significant move, the Millville Board of Commissioners in southern New Jersey has voted to ban the construction of AI data centers within the city. This decision effectively halts one of the largest data center projects proposed in the state, the 1.4 gigawatt Millville Energy & Data Center Campus, which was set to cover over 60 acres. During a meeting on Tuesday evening, the commissioners expressed that data centers do not align with the city's land use planning objectives and infrastructure capabilities. They stated that the construction and operation of such facilities would pose risks to public health, safety, and overall community welfare. Millville has become a focal point for AI data center development due to its proximity to major urban centers like New York City and Philadelphia, along with its access to natural gas and transmission networks. Several data centers are either proposed or under construction in the region, including a 300-megawatt facility in nearby Vineland designed to support Microsoft. As AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic seek greater computational power, the demand for larger data centers has surged. However, a recent study revealed that a significant portion of the American public remains skeptical about AI, leading to increasing opposition against these extensive projects. Residents are concerned about potential negative impacts such as water supply depletion, rising utility costs, increased noise, elevated temperatures, and overall diminished quality of life. In their ordinance, the Millville commissioners highlighted that large-scale data centers impose substantial infrastructure demands and noted that any jobs created by such projects would be limited compared to their size. Although data center proponents argue that they provide job opportunities, many of these positions are temporary and primarily during the construction phase. The Climate Revolution Action Network, an environmental nonprofit in New Jersey, played a crucial role in rallying community support against the Millville data center. Kayleigh Henry, a leader of the organization, emphasized the importance of grassroots activism, stating, "These corporations may have more money than us, but they're no match for people speaking out and making their voices heard." The coalition is now advocating for a statewide moratorium on data center construction. Recently, they appealed to New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to implement a pause on any new data center projects utilizing at least 20 megawatts of power until appropriate regulations are established to protect consumers, ensure electric grid reliability, and mitigate environmental consequences.