Data centers

Sierra Club doesn't oppose data centers outright but wants big tech held accountable; submitted model ordinance language and information for the council to consider.

Sierra Club Hudson County chair called for transparency and community involvement and warned of pollution, diesel generators and crypto uses.

Thanked the council for listening last month but said words aren't enough — urged amending the redevelopment plans now to remove data centers as a permitted use.

Asked the council to initiate redevelopment plan amendments striking data centers from the Old Hook Road plan and all others.

Said data centers contradict the master plan's sustainability principles, and criticized that the O-9 redevelopment plan wasn't posted before the vote.

A retired workplace-safety professional urged planning ahead of proposals, focus groups in the master plan rewrite, and assessment of fire and health risks.

Cited OpenAI's $150 million super PAC and argued politicians are being bought by big tech; urged the council to act before leaving office.

A Ward II small business owner asked for clear answers on water, power, noise and traffic impacts before the New Hook Road project moves further.

Opposed the data center over noise, pollution, health risks and utility bills after 37 years in Bayonne.

Cited New Jersey's drought and claimed data centers consume over five million gallons of water a day; warned of unknown health risks.

Opposed data centers citing water and air pollution; also urged the council to stop gassing geese and asked about the $750,000 animal shelter money.

Accused the council of being 'bought and paid for' and said the risks are known.

DSA member demanded a permanent ordinance banning data centers and urged continued political engagement.

Climate Revolution Action Network director said his group has defeated four data centers, disputed the city's legal advice, and promised to email a model ban ordinance.

Live-streamer polled the crowd against data centers, then confronted Councilman Booker over a sheriff's lieutenant donation and asked LaPelusa about a data center property owner tie.

DSA member described the Memphis xAI diesel generator example and demanded a permanent ban, not a study.

Accused the council of lip service and governance under 'color of law'; demanded the will of the people be executed on data centers.

Cited a Lake Tahoe power diversion article, questioned how three data-center-permitting plans were approved, and endorsed the incoming administration's transparency commitments.

Criticized attacks on residents online, said several council members' votes on the data center were disqualifying, and noted the Andover repeal ordinance as a model.

Asked why the amendment passed without research and why there's been no update on the April study resolution.