MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Township officials are floating a data center ban in Stafford.
At the latest Stafford Township Council meeting, an ordinance was introduced that would adjust zoning laws to ban the operation of data centers.
The same ordinance would also ban cannabis manufacturing, retail and more.
"All data centers are hereby prohibited from operating anywhere in the Township of Stafford," the ordinance reads.
There's been a move throughout New Jersey and across the country to ban data centers, which are large warehouse-like facilities that house computer systems and servers to power digital services. Recently, data centers have been going up to power artificial intelligence.
Data centers have been controversial due to usage of water, electricity and potential strains on infrastructure.
About two dozen towns have banned data centers in New Jersey already, Gov Tech reported, and more were considering it as of late June, the site said.
It's unknown if there are any proposals to construct a data center in Stafford.
The ordinance will be sent to the Township Planning Board for review.
The ordinance will be up for a public hearing and final vote at the Aug. 18 Township Council meeting.
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