Secaucus residents push for limits on AI data centers, look to state for action

These data centers have been here for 20 years and there's been a level of complacency, but you know, the times are changing. We have a lot more internet access and I think people become very educated on the, not only the environmental impact, but the human and health impact. Annie Martinez started organizing a group several months ago to halt the construction of new data centers in Secaucus. Right around the time there was a massive fuel spill at one locally. Since then, the group has grown. And they met at a local church on Sunday. It is still alarming to know that, like, so many people are unaware of the oil spill in our town. The data centers that have existed in Secaucus for decades have largely been used for traditional computing needs, not to power artificial intelligence. Following a public outcry after the spill, though, town council is looking to pass an ordinance to keep it that way. So the idea was to set an objective limit to make sure we don't have... The high voltage, high wattage data center is coming in into our industrial area. But they're limited. It's very important to understand that we only have the capacity. The ability to regulate our industrial area. This is not for the NJSEA zone. Secaucus is somewhat unique in that most of their land is controlled by the state, specifically the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. So no matter what the town council passes, in the majority of the town, the state can still build whatever they want, including a higher wattage data center to power AI. With two new data centers already under construction in the town, Some residents want to take their fight to Trenton. We've got nine data centers, like I said, 11 when they're done. How many do we need? 13, 15, 20? How many? Secaucus Town Council will meet on Tuesday where they're expected to have their first reading of their local ordinance on AI data centers. In Secaucus, I'm Christine Qualey, News 12 New Jersey.