New Jersey A 5663: Increases penalties for unauthorized transportation or disposal of solid waste.

Bill Text

A5663 

ASSEMBLY, No. 5663 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman� CHIGOZIE U. ONYEMA

District 28 (Essex and Union)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires DEP to conduct study on environmental 
impacts of data center development in State; prohibits construction of new data 
centers until study is complete. 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� As introduced.

�� 

An Act concerning data center development in the State.

���� 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 of 25 megawatts or more.

���� �Department� means the 
Department of Environmental Protection.

���� �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.

���� �Overburdened community� means 
the same as the term is defined in section 2 of P.L.2020, c.92 (C.13:1D-158).

���� b.� Notwithstanding the 
provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, beginning on the 
effective date of this section and continuing until 90 days after the 
submission of the department�s report to the Governor and Legislature pursuant 
to subsection c. of this section, no data center shall be constructed in the 
State and no State or local government agency shall issue a permit for the 
siting, construction, or commencement of operation of a data center in the 
State.� The provisions of this section shall not apply to a data center that 
has already begun construction or that was approved prior to the effective date 
of this section.

���� c.� The department 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, no later than 15 months after the effective date of this section, 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;

���� (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 their 
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; 

���� (10) an evaluation of whether 
data center development has a disproportionate impact on overburdened 
communities in the State; 

���� (11) an overview of the 
information received from the public pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection d. 
of this section and of the public hearing conducted pursuant to paragraph (3) 
of subsection d. of this section; and

���� (12) 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 and 
infrastructure in the State.

���� d.� In preparing the report 
required pursuant to subsection c. of this section, the department shall:

���� (1) consult with the board and 
the Department of Community Affairs, as necessary; 

���� (2) provide an opportunity for 
the public to submit comments related to data center development to the 
department; and

���� (3) hold at least one pub