‘No Immediate Threat’ From Data Centers In Bloomfield, Official Says

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Worried about the potential impact of AI data centers in Bloomfield? For now, there’s “no immediate threat,” a local official says.

On Thursday, Mayor Jenny Mundell shared an update about data centers and local planning regulations, which have become a hot topic in communities across the state.

Supporters of data centers say they’re needed to keep the state competitive in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry. But critics allege that they consume too much power and water – jacking up utility bills for local residents.

According to Mundell, she recently asked municipal administrators to take a look at Bloomfield’s existing zoning rules, noting that the discussion has heated up on social media and in conversations throughout town.

Long story short? There’s no need to worry for now, she said.

“What they discovered was that there really are no areas in Bloomfield that would allow for data centers without a request for a variance from the zoning board,” Mundell said.

“So the first thing that people should understand is that there's no immediate threat,” she continued. “The immediate threat would come if a company wanted to come in, build a data center, and we allowed data centers as a permitted use.”

Currently – they are not, Mundell said.

The mayor also pointed to the rollout of recommendations from the town’s new master plan – which happens to be taking place as the debate over data centers is happening.

“And one of the things that we're going to do as we make these updates to our ordinances to our land use is put forth for the council an amendment that will prohibit data centers in Bloomfield,” she said.

“We are in the process of amending ordinances that will be coming back out to the public very soon,” Mundell concluded. “You'll see it coming up at an upcoming council meeting, and hopefully this assuages some of people's anxiety and fear around them.”

Watch the mayor’s full message here, or view the view below.

DATA CENTER BANS IN NEW JERSEY

Dozens of towns and cities in New Jersey have passed full or partial bans on AI data centers over concerns about their environmental and social impact.

Data centers have existed since the 1950s and have “generally been harmless” – but AI is changing that, advocates say.

“Big tech companies are racing to the AI market by building ‘hyperscale’ data centers,” Climate Revolution Action Network New Jersey says. “These facilities are far larger than traditional data centers and consume much more energy. Right now, these AI data centers are appearing across New Jersey – and it’s causing the entire country serious problems.”

“AI data centers are raising our bills, polluting our environment, and disturbing our communities,” the group claims. “Meanwhile, the billionaires and private equity firms behind AI are using it to undermine our institutions at every corner.”

• Related: New Tech Tracks Immigrants For ICE; Protesters Urge NJ To Dump Palantir Stock

While the concept of banning AI data centers has seen strong support in town halls across New Jersey, the possibility of legal challenges is also growing.

Montgomery, Andover, and Monroe have each been sued in recent weeks by developers seeking to overturn municipal prohibitions on data centers, the New Jersey Monitor reported.

“The action of the township committee was clearly based upon public hysteria and political attention rather than sound land use planning,” the lawsuit targeting Montgomery’s ordinance claims.

• Related: Data Center Fight Moves To NJ Courts, With Developers Blaming Local Bans On ‘Public Hysteria'

In May, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced a statewide plan to regulate data centers that she said is designed to hold them accountable – while also positioning New Jersey to become a leader in AI innovation.

Sherrill said the measures would establish guardrails to protect communities, strengthen transparency, require investment in New Jersey’s energy infrastructure, and support good-paying jobs.

“By establishing these guardrails, we will hold data centers accountable, ensure they contribute their fair share, and make sure our communities not only benefit from the AI innovation happening in our state, but have a real hand in shaping it,” the governor said.

• Related: Sherrill Targets AI Data Centers In Four Point Plan
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