Trenton, NJ — Governor Mikie Sherrill kicked off climate week with a hands-off message to towns fighting data centers. While environmental organizers and allies have been fighting for a statewide moratorium on new data centers, Sherrill’s latest comments suggest each town is responsible for their own decisions on data centers. The governor makes it clear that she is not willing to protect communities with a blanket moratorium across the state.

Sherrill’s inability to act urgently on a statewide data center moratorium comes just months after neighboring New York Governor Kathy Hochul became the first to enforce a moratorium on large scale data centers across New York State. 

Sherrill’s proposed community benefits agreements places the onus of stopping data center sprawl on New Jersey residents, rather than on the big tech companies responsible. 

“It’s past time for Sherrill to act to protect New Jersey communities from the interests of corporations. The governor must hold billionaires accountable, pass the Polluters Pay Act, and enforce a statewide moratorium on data centers,” said Matt Smith, New Jersey State Director at Food & Water Watch.

###