NJDEP Gives Public More Time To Weigh In On South Brunswick Data Center

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The state Department of Environmental Protection has extended the public comment period on the air permit for a proposed data center on Route 1 in South Brunswick. Comments are now due Monday, Nov. 9.

The DEP revised its public notice on Tuesday, moving the deadline from Wednesday. The notice covers the draft preconstruction permit for the Sentinel Data Center at 4405 Route 1.

Three state legislators had asked for more time. In a letter dated Oct. 2, Sen. Andrew Zwicker and Assembly members Roy Freiman and Mitchelle Drulis asked DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak to extend the deadline for 30 days, through Friday, Nov. 6.

"This permit has generated significant concern among residents of South Brunswick, Princeton, and neighboring communities," the letter said. "Given the scope and technical complexity of the application, as well as the substantial public participation during the review process, I believe additional time is reasonable and necessary to ensure residents have a meaningful opportunity to provide input."

The lawmakers pointed to the timeline. The DEP posted the draft permit materials Aug. 20, and the comment period began Aug. 27. The DEP's public hearing was not held until Wednesday, Sept. 23. That left the public only 14 days after the hearing to "consider the information presented, review the technical issues raised by other participants, consult with experts where appropriate, and prepare substantive written comments," the letter said.

About 200 people attended the hearing, and roughly 30 testified, the letter said.

What The Permit Covers

The draft permit would allow the data center to install 12 diesel-fired emergency generators to provide backup power when the main power supply is not available, according to the DEP's notice. The DEP said it did a health risk assessment as part of its review and found the risk "negligible" under its technical manual.

Princeton Also Weighed In

Princeton's mayor and council last week asked the DEP to deny the permit. Patch reported on Friday, Oct. 2 that the governing body said backup diesel generators could send emissions into Princeton, including near two elementary schools.

In that statement, officials called the DEP's "minor source" label for the project "misleading." Mayor Mark Freda said at the last council meeting that "having diesel generators in today's day and age makes absolutely no sense."

East Brunswick and North Brunswick have passed local bans on data center construction, and protesters gathered outside the South Brunswick Library on the day Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a data center reporting law in August, Patch reported.

How To Comment

Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments, the DEP said. They can be submitted in two ways:

• Online: Use the form at dep.nj.gov/boss/permit-comment-form.

• By mail: Send to Nibras Mir, NJDEP, 401 E. State St., 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 420, Mail Code 401-02, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420. Reference "Draft Permit Comments for PN-DC1, PI 19525 PCP250001."

The notice says anyone who thinks the draft permit or the DEP's tentative decision to approve it is inappropriate must raise all reasonable issues and supporting arguments during the comment period.

The DEP said it will consider and respond to all timely oral and written comments. It will send its final decision and a response-to-comments document to the applicant and to anyone who registered, spoke or submitted written comments and gave a mailing address.

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