Requires BPU to conduct study on environmental, infrastructural, and financial impacts of data center development in State.

A4945

ASSEMBLY, No. 4945

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� CODY D. MILLER

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman� DAVID BAILEY, JR.

District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)

Assemblywoman� MAUREEN ROWAN

District 2 (Atlantic)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Kearney and Angelozzi

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires BPU to conduct study on environmental,
infrastructural, and financial impacts of data center development in State.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning data center development and supplementing
Title
48 of the Revised Statutes.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.� a.� As used in this
section:

���� �Board� means the Board of
Public Utilities.

���� �Data center� means a
facility: (1) whose primary services are the storage, management, and
processing of digital data; (2) that is used to house computer and network
systems, including associated components such as servers, network equipment and
appliances, telecommunications, and data storage systems, systems for
monitoring and managing infrastructure performance, Internet-related equipment
and services, data communications connections, environmental controls, fire
protection systems, and security systems and services; and (3) a total
aggregate information technology load greater than one megawatt.

���� �Information technology load�
or �IT load� means the electrical load of computing, data storage, and
networking equipment within a data center, measured at the point of power
delivery to the equipment.

���� b.� No later than twelve
months after the effective date of this section, the board shall conduct a
study concerning the environmental, infrastructural, and financial impacts of
data center development in the State and shall prepare and submit a report on
the study�s findings to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to
section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1).� The report shall include, at a
minimum:

���� (1) information concerning the
energy consumption and water usage of data centers in the State;

���� (2) information concerning the
effect of data center development on the electric grid;

���� (3) information concerning the
effect of data center development on air quality and noise pollution in the
State;

���� (4) an evaluation of land
usage by data centers and proposed data center projects, including the clearing
of forested lands for data center development;

���� (5) an evaluation of any
potential environmental degradation that is caused by the development of data
centers, including the production of electronic waste from data centers;

���� (6) an evaluation of data
centers� energy demand, water consumption, physical infrastructure and its
effect on local power grids, local water resources, and local infrastructure;

���� (7) information concerning any
potential public health impacts that may be associated with data center
development in the State;

���� (8) an evaluation of the
adverse fiscal impacts associated with data center development in the State,
including, but not limited to, increased utility rates;

���� (9) an evaluation of the
energy efficiency of data centers in the State, including a review of fossil
fuel usage by data centers and a review of the effectiveness of using renewable
energy at data centers; and

���� (10) a list of recommendations
for legislative action or the promulgation of additional regulations to
mitigate the adverse impacts of data center development on the environment,
infrastructure, and utility rates in the State.

���� c.���� In conducting the
study, the board shall:

���� (1)�� solicit input from
interested stakeholders; and

���� (2)�� hold at least one public
hearing, at such time and place as is determined by the board.

���� 2. �This act shall take effect
immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This bill would require the
Board of Public Utilities (BPU), no later than twelve months after the bill�s
effective date, to conduct a study and submit a report to the Governor and the
Legislature concerning the environmental, infrastructural, and financial
impacts of data center development in the State.� The bill outlines the
requirements that the BPU would be required to include in the report, at a
minimum.