The Harrison Township Committee decided on April 18 to table an ordinance that would prohibit AI data centers in the community because the Joint Land Use Board had yet to review it.
The committee will instead vote to approve the ordinance – first introduced at an April 6 meeting – at its session on Monday, May 18.
“Unfortunately,” explained township Solicitor Brian Duffield, “the Joint Land Use Board canceled their last meeting, which would have been the meeting (where) this ordinance would have been reviewed for consistency against the master plan. They didn’t appear, so we can’t adopt it until the planning board has done its job.”
Data centers have been a hot topic both nationally and locally. In Vineland, residents have opposed the construction of a center called the DataOne building because of potential loud noise, emissions, and water and electrical output the town may not be able to handle.
While there are no data centers yet to be constructed or introduced in Mullica Hill, the township committee wants to get ahead of the curve and prohibit them altogether.
“While we recognize that artificial intelligence and expanding technology are shaping the future, and with that, an increasing demand for data centers, there are still many unknowns surrounding their development and long-term impact,” noted Harrison Mayor Adam Wingate.
“Currently, our township ordinances do not address data centers,” he added. “By taking this proactive step, we are ensuring that Harrison Township remains in control of its future should such a proposal ever arise.”
According to Wingate, the township wants certain concerns addressed before it considers data centers, specifically whether or not a facility’s energy use would be self-sufficient and not strain the electrical grid, whether a closed-loop cooling system would require local water sources, and potential environmental impacts.
“We understand that data centers can bring financial benefits through tax revenue,” the mayor acknowledged. “However, at this time, we are not willing to make Harrison Township a testing ground for developers without clear, proven safeguards in place.
“Should these concerns be adequately addressed in the future – and if it can be demonstrated that such developments would not negatively impact our community – we are open to revisiting the conversation. Until then, data centers will be prohibited in Harrison Township.”
