For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Key Legislation to Ensure Data Center Transparency and Energy Affordability Moves Forward in Trenton
Trenton, NJ - Today, two key data center bills moved forward at the statehouse to improve transparency and protect NJ ratepayers from increasing energy costs as a result of data center buildout.
The first bill, S3379 (Ruiz), requires data center owners and operators to submit semi-annual water and energy usage reports to BPU.
About the bill, New Jersey Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager Taylor McFarland said;
“As New Jersey aims to become a leader in the digital economy, it is essential to ensure that our technological advancements do not compromise our natural resources. This bill offers the transparency needed to effectively manage the substantial environmental impact of the data center industry. S3379 is a common-sense transparency measure. You cannot manage what you do not measure. By requiring semi-annual reporting of energy and water usage, New Jersey can make informed, science-based decisions about how to integrate this industry into our state without sacrificing our climate goals or our residents' access to clean water.”
The second bill, S731 (Burzicelli/McKeon)/A796 (Bailey/Danielstein/Calabrese), passed on both the Senate and Assembly sides, and requires electric public utilities to develop and apply special rules for certain data centers to protect non-data center customers from increased costs.
On the bill, New Jersey Sierra Club Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot said;
“This bill is a vital measure to protect NJ ratepayers from paying for the increased energy demand from power-hungry data centers and ensure that big tech pays their fair share. AI data centers accounted for over 70% of the projected demand during the 2025/26 PJM auction, costs that NJ families are bearing the brunt of. On top of this, New Jersey’s utility rates are already 20% higher than the national average, and these increases aren’t going anywhere and are likely to continue. If we continue business as usual, our bills could go up as much as 60% in the near future. It’s clear that PJM, our regional grid operator, and the federal government aren’t going to help anytime soon, so it’s time for NJ to step in to take action and protect our families. We need guardrails to protect people from higher bills and to ensure a good quality of life.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey