Why Data Centers Don’t Belong in Our Community

Data centers are no longer an issue happening somewhere far away.

They are already operating throughout North Jersey, including right here in Bergen County and neighboring communities. As more of these massive facilities are developed across New Jersey, I believe Ridgefield needs to ask a simple question before this type of development ever reaches our town:

Is a large-scale data center the right kind of development for Ridgefield and the people who already live here?

My answer is no.

Data Centers Are Already Here

As I highlighted in my recent video, you don't have to look across the country to see the growth of data centers.

Facilities are already operating in places like Hackensack, Carlstadt and nearby Secaucus. North Jersey's proximity to New York City, major fiber networks and other infrastructure has made our area increasingly attractive to the industry.

That makes this a local issue.

Ridgefield shouldn't wait until a developer submits an application before residents begin discussing whether these facilities are appropriate for our community.

A Recent Spill Shows Why These Concerns Matter

In September 2026, approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a storage tank at an Equinix data center in nearby Secaucus, with fuel entering Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River.

The spill prompted a significant cleanup response. The incident received extensive local coverage from NBC New York.

For me, the incident is an important reminder that data centers are more than buildings filled with computers.

Large facilities can rely on extensive electrical equipment, cooling systems, backup generators and fuel storage to remain operational around the clock.

That doesn't mean every data center will experience an environmental incident. But it does mean communities should understand the entire operational footprint and the potential risks before approving this type of development.

In Ridgefield, I don't believe we need to take on those unnecessary risks.

Data Centers Require Enormous Amounts of Electricity

Another major concern is electricity.

In a March 2026 order, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said unprecedented electricity-load growth, driven primarily by ongoing data-center development, was a primary cause of recent high capacity-market prices. The Board also noted that demand growth has been outpacing the rate at which new electricity supply can come online. You can see how the state describes the issue in its recent NJBPU energy action.

In July, the state enacted its Data Center Fair Share law, creating a separate ratepayer class for large data centers and requiring rules intended to ensure other utility customers don't subsidize the electricity and grid infrastructure these facilities require. The state provides a good overview of the new approach here.

For Ridgefield residents already paying monthly utility bills, I believe the principle is simple:

Families and small businesses shouldn't be left carrying the cost of the extraordinary energy needs of large data centers.

It's About More Than Electricity

Electricity demand is only one part of the conversation.

Large data centers may also require significant amounts of water, cooling infrastructure, backup power, utility upgrades and construction activity.

New Jersey recently began requiring data-center operators to report their energy and water consumption to the Board of Public Utilities. The state has also developed guidance intended to help municipalities address local concerns involving things like noise, light, pollution and infrastructure. More on those new safeguards is available through the state's data-center policy update.

To me, the fact that New Jersey is putting these new safeguards in place shows why local communities need to take the issue seriously.

Ridgefield Is a Community, Not an Industrial Blank Slate

Ridgefield isn't an empty piece of land waiting for the next major development project.

It's our home.

We're part of an already densely developed area of Bergen County, with homes, schools, seniors, families and small businesses all sharing a relatively small community.

Every major development decision should take those residents into account.

There may be places where large-scale data centers make sense.

I don't believe Ridgefield is one of them.

Being opposed to large data centers in Ridgefield isn't about being opposed to technology or economic development.

It's about recognizing that the right development needs to be in the right place.

I support development that strengthens our tax base, creates meaningful opportunities, improves appropriate properties and contributes positively to our community.

But development should also make sense for the people who have to live next to it.

My Position on Data Centers in Ridgefield

As a candidate for Ridgefield Borough Council, my position is straightforward:

I will oppose large-scale data-center development in Ridgefield.

These facilities are already operating around us. The recent diesel spill at a nearby Secaucus facility shows why environmental protections and emergency planning matter. And New Jersey's actions on electricity costs, energy consumption, water use and local oversight demonstrate that these projects can create significant questions for the communities where they're built.

I believe Ridgefield should focus on responsible development that actually fits our community—not another large industrial use in an already densely developed town.

That means protecting our neighborhoods, protecting our infrastructure, demanding transparency and making sure residents have a voice in how Ridgefield grows.

When it comes to large data centers in Ridgefield, I believe we should make our position clear before one ever arrives at our doorstep.