🏙️ Bayonne Becomes 23rd New Jersey Municipality to Ban Data Centers
Bayonne officials voted unanimously to ban data center development, making it the 23rd New Jersey municipality to do so. The decision follows resident concerns regarding the high water and electricity demands these facilities require for cooling and operations.
BAYONNE, NJ — August 16, 2026 — Bayonne has officially joined a growing list of New Jersey communities restricting the development of data centers, becoming the 23rd municipality in the state to enact a ban.
The Bayonne City Council approved the measure in a 5-0 vote, and Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski signed the ban into law Thursday.
The city currently has no operating data centers, but several proposals had emerged over the past year, including plans for a large artificial intelligence data center at the Delta Self-Storage property on New Hook Road.
The issue became a major topic during Bayonne's recent mayoral election. Residents repeatedly packed City Council meetings to voice concerns about potential data center development, while Ashe-Nadrowski and her council slate campaigned on a promise to prohibit the facilities. The slate ultimately swept the May election. 🗳️
💧 Why Are Communities Opposing Data Centers?
Opponents have raised concerns about the enormous water and electricity demands associated with large-scale data centers.
Some facilities can require millions of gallons of water each day for cooling, while the rapidly expanding demand for data centers has also raised concerns about New Jersey's electrical grid and future energy costs. ⚡💧
Supporters, however, argue that data centers are increasingly important to America's technological infrastructure and ability to compete globally, particularly as demand for artificial intelligence continues to grow. 🤖🇺🇸
🏘️ Growing Statewide Movement
Bayonne is now among several New Jersey municipalities that have moved to prohibit or restrict data centers, including Asbury Park, Red Bank, Phillipsburg and Neptune.
Similar debates are underway in other communities. Howell Township is expected to consider a proposed data center ban next week, while movements are also underway in Old Bridge and Sayreville. Jersey City has introduced an ordinance that would limit where data centers could be developed.
The issue has also expanded beyond municipal governments. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently enacted a statewide prohibition on new hyperscale AI data centers, while advocates in New Jersey are calling for Gov. Mikie Sherrill to consider similar statewide action.
Bayonne residents who led the local campaign celebrated Thursday's approval, describing the vote as a victory for community involvement and local control over development decisions.
The debate over data centers is expected to continue across New Jersey as municipalities weigh economic development and tax revenue against concerns involving water consumption, electricity demand, infrastructure and environmental impacts. 🌎