The Bell Works Data Center Application Is Woefully Inadequate

Holmdel is reviewing an application seeking preliminary and final site-plan approval for a 108,000-square-foot, 40-megawatt data center. The applicant asks to submit proof of agency filings and utility-service letters after approval, as conditions. Water and sewer letters are missing. That means the Board could act before receiving confirmations.

This is about protecting residents—not opposing technology. Even if the filing is administratively complete, Holmdel's checklist allows the Board to request information for an informed decision.

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Cooling, water and noise - The Environmental Impact Report estimates 300 gallons per day for sanitary use and "closed-loop" cooling. Yet there is no cooling layout, equipment list, water calculation or operating-noise study. The roof plan shows no cooling equipment, and the report addresses construction noise—not continuous operating noise—despite identifying homes to the north and east. A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's estimate of 1.8 liters per kilowatt-hour would equal about 456,000 gallons per day at continuous 40-megawatt operation. This is not a forecast; it shows why the design matters. Dry cooling may use far less water but require large fan arrays and create nighttime noise. There is also no study showing how much ordinary or low-frequency noise the completed facility would produce, especially at night.
Electricity -Jersey Central Power & Light does not confirm that 40 megawatts are available. It says service may require a substation, upgrades, equipment, and easements. Continuous use would equal 350.4 million kilowatt-hours annually—potentially several times the township's total annual consumption—yet the infrastructure plan, noise and costs remain unknown.
Groundwater and slopes - The site contains contamination, including PFAS, a group of long-lasting chemicals. The remediation professional warns that recharge could move contamination toward surface water. Yet the stormwater report predicts increased recharge and proposes three basins with underdrain pipes. The plans also disturb 9,424 square feet of slopes over 25 percent without proving no better location exists.

Azura showed why public review matters: residents challenged a wastewater lagoon without a percolation test, and the plan later changed before approval.

The Board should require these answers before voting on approval. Residents should attend, question the applicant's experts and put concerns on the public record.

Challenge this application now—before unresolved risks become an approved project. The time to protect Holmdel is now.

Prakash Santhana

Former Holmdel Deputy Mayor