OP-ED: NEWARK DOES NOT NEED
AI DATA CENTERS 

September 29, 2026
The Ironbound and South Ward, which are predominantly low-income communities of color, burdened with a high concentration of polluting fossil fuel facilities and some of the nation’s worst air quality, cannot be targets of AI data center developers. Both of these neighborhoods are adjacent to Newark’s industrial and port zones permitted for these facilities. The Ironbound Community Corporation and the South Ward Environmental Alliance call on the Newark Municipal Council to immediately adopt a data center moratorium so we can understand their impacts and adopt ordinances that will protect Newark residents.  

AI data center development must not expand into Newark. While data centers can serve telecommunications functions–like the one that already exists at 165 Halsey Street–the recent proliferation of AI data centers across the country is a threat to environmental and public health. Newark cannot be subjected to that threat. 

AI data centers exact an enormous toll on the communities where they are built. Yet, they offer very few long-term benefits. In fact, AI data centers require as much electricity as a small to mid-sized city. Newark is a large, overcrowded city. AI data centers consume huge amounts of water. Newark is vulnerable to the heat island effect, which makes water all the more precious for Newarkers. AI data centers contribute significantly to air pollution and particulate emissions. Newark has childhood asthma rates of about one in four and higher rates of cardiovascular illness because of the high levels of air pollution. AI data centers create noise pollution. Newark suffers extreme noise pollution from air, land, and maritime traffic, most of it concentrated in the Ironbound and South Ward. Indeed, the long-term environmental damage from AI data centers is severe. 

Public and environmental health issues are not the only concerns. AI data center developers are highly secretive, refusing to provide basic project details such as water consumption, energy use, site plans, and wastewater contaminants. They also often require local officials to sign non-disclosure agreements to learn more. Across the country, developers use fast, high-pressure sales tactics to force communities into signing on before they understand the project’s scope. 

AI data center developments would directly oppose the City of Newark’s environmental justice leadership. The Newark Municipal Council passed the Environmental Justice and Cumulative Impact Ordinance, and the Newark Environmental Commission approved the City’s first Environmental Resource Inventory, recognizing the need for environmental justice and clean air measures. At the September 9, 2026 Municipal Council meeting, Councilman Patrick Council introduced a data center moratorium. The Municipal Council must adopt it.

ICC and SWEA are organizing with residents, workers, and other community members to prevent AI data centers from disrupting Newark’s landscape. The City of Newark must adopt a moratorium on AI data center development to study the health and environmental impacts. A moratorium will provide time to revise the master plan, land use, and zoning ordinances to prohibit AI data centers in our city. 

Dr. Leah Owens, Ports and Policy Analyst
South Ward Environmental Alliance
Email: leah@southwardea.com

Alejandra Torres, Assistant Director of Advocacy and Organizing
Ironbound Community Corporation
Email: atorres@ironboundcc.org