'A Big Fuck You to Big Tech': New Jersey Residents Defeat AI Data Center
commondreams.org
February 20, 2026
2 min read
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Summary
The New Brunswick City Council voted to cancel plans for an AI data center and will instead develop a public park on the site. AI data centers are known for their significant environmental impacts due to high electricity and water consumption, as well as the use of rare earth metals.
Key Takeaways
- The New Brunswick City Council voted to cancel plans for an AI data center and will instead develop a public park on the site.
- Residents expressed concerns about the environmental impact and increased utility costs associated with the proposed data center.
- The site will now include 600 new apartments, with 10% designated as affordable housing, along with warehouses for startups.
- Community members celebrated the decision, emphasizing their desire for community development over corporate data centers.