Jackson Becomes 38th New Jersey Town to Ban Data Centers

Jackson follows Stafford Township as the second Ocean County town this week to ban data centers

JACKSON, NJ — The Jackson Township Council voted tonight to ban data centers, the latest in a wave of New Jersey communities rejecting the massive AI facilities. The 4-1 vote makes Jackson the 38th municipality in the state to pass a ban, and the second in Ocean County to enact one this week.

“I’ve been fighting to prohibit data centers in Jackson because I believe our responsibility is to protect our residents, our natural resources, and the character of our town. Tonight, we did exactly that,” said Jackson Councilman Chris Pollak. “I’m proud to have pushed for this ordinance and grateful to my colleagues who joined me in voting to protect our community.”

Residents and activists with Climate Revolution Action Network New Jersey (CRAN) pushed for the ordinance alongside Councilman Chris Pollak, pointing to the strain that data centers put on the electric grid and clean water supply, and the need to protect Jackson's sensitive environment, which includes part of the Pinelands National Reserve. Councilman Ken Bressi was the only council member to vote against the ban.

“Jackson didn’t wait for a data center proposal to protect itself and pass a ban. This was a smart move by the council,” said Ben Dziobek, Executive Director of CRAN. “Every week we’re seeing more and more towns stand up to Big Tech and block their massive AI data centers. People across New Jersey have figured out that these data centers are a bad deal, and they're not waiting around for our state lawmakers to notice.”

Jackson's ban is part of a statewide movement that has now reached 38 municipalities as towns across New Jersey move to keep data centers out and push Trenton for action.

CRAN, New Jersey's largest Gen-Z political organization, has been training and working alongside residents across the state to pass local data center bans.

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About Climate Revolution Action Network New Jersey (CRAN)

Climate Revolution Action Network New Jersey (CRAN) is New Jersey's largest Gen-Z political organization. CRAN is leading the fight to ban AI data centers across New Jersey, training and working alongside local residents to pass bans in their communities.