New Jersey Data Center Intel

Recent New Jersey data center news

• Apr 7, 2026

  OPINION: We need to stop dismissing the environmental impact of AI

  Sarah Hiller (The Signal) calls for mandatory reporting and stronger regulation of AI energy and emissions, and for data centers to meet renewable energy standards before further expansion.

  • Main announcement: The author argues companies should be required to report the energy and carbon emissions of their AI usage, and that data centers should meet renewable energy standards before expanding; policymakers must treat AI’s environmental footprint as an immediate policy issue rather than a distant future problem.
  • Background and details: The opinion cites published research including a December 2025 Cell Reports Sustainability study projecting 32.6–79.7 million tons CO2 in 2025 from AI data centers and 312.5–764.6 billion L of water for cooling; a November 2025 Cornell/Nature Sustainability projection of 24–44 million metric tons CO2 per year by 2030; and references positions from the International Energy Agency and the U.N. Environment Programme on transparency and potential net benefits of AI.
• Apr 6, 2026 · Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

  The Global Trade Battleground: US-China Competition in the Global South

  The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has published an analytical report documenting how Chinese exports, investments, and state-directed finance have outpaced U.S. engagement in the Global South and offering policy recommendations for a “Globalization 2.0” response.

  • Main findings: ITIF documents a large shift in import shares: China’s exports to the Global South rose from roughly $34 billion in 2000 to over $1.3 trillion in 2024, while U.S. exports grew only modestly, leaving U.S. export share at roughly 56 percent of China’s by 2024; the displacement is larger for national power industries (semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, telecom, vehicles, electrical machinery).
  • Background & supporting details: The report highlights BRI investments totaling over $1.3 trillion (2013–H1 2025) with ~$755 billion in construction contracts and $554 billion in non-financial investments; cites $230 billion in Chinese EV subsidies (2009–2023); references U.S. federal tools (Ex‑Im Bank, DFC) and notes DFC committed ~$3.5 billion in new commitments in 2025, recommending scaled financing, export promotion, FDI screening, and allied coalitions to counter Chinese mercantilism.
• Apr 3, 2026

  The energy and environmental impact of AI and how it undermines democracy

  Greenpeace International warns about AI’s environmental and democratic harms.

  • Main claim: Greenpeace argues the AI boom is driving rapidly rising energy, water and emissions footprints and concentrating corporate and political power; it cites a Greenpeace Germany report (2025) and an Öko/industry projection that AI data centre electricity demand could be 11 times higher in 2030 than in 2023, and a February 2026 Beyond Fossil Fuels report finding 74% of industry climate-benefit claims unproven.
  • Background and recent examples:Community and legal pushback is documented with concrete cases: New Brunswick, New Jersey removed data centres from a redevelopment plan (public backlash); San Marcos, Texas council blocked a proposed data centre (vote 5-2); South Dublin County Council (Sep 2025) called for a nationwide ban/moratorium or strict 100% renewables conditions; a UK legal challenge (Jan 2026) targets a 90MW hyperscale data centre in Buckinghamshire after a government approval error. The piece also highlights corporate finances and contracts: Nvidia revenue US$215.9 billion (fiscal 2026), Amazon profits ~US$77 billion (2025), political donations and industry contracts (see price_information).
• Apr 2, 2026

  Panel discusses how energy demand from data centers nationwide will impact Pennsylvania

  The Clean Energy Group, Clean Air Council and Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania released a report titled “The High Cost of AI: How Data Centers are Reshaping Pennsylvania’s Energy Landscape.”

  • Main finding: The report finds Pennsylvania will export electricity to surrounding PJM states to meet growing data center demand, with PJM relying on Pennsylvania to supply energy to high-demand importers like Virginia (35% of hyperscale data centers); it projects an additional 24 to 44 million metric tons of CO2 by the end of the decade and an estimated $20 billion public health burden in 2028.
  • Background & local context: The report was discussed at a University of Scranton event with local officials and residents; Archbald has six proposed data center campuses under local opposition, the groups support Sen. Katie Muth’s three-year moratorium (co-sponsored by Sen. Rosemary Brown), and utilities such as PPL Electric Utilities perform system upgrade studies that can socialize costs across ratepayers.
• Apr 2, 2026

  The energy and environmental impact of AI and how it undermines democracy

  Greenpeace and allied campaigners have published reports and actions warning about AI’s rising energy, water and emissions footprint and the democratic risks of concentrated corporate power.

  • Main announcement / findings: Greenpeace Germany’s 2025 report warned that AI data centre electricity demand could be 11 times higher in 2030 than in 2023 unless governments intervene, and a February 2026 report backed by Beyond Fossil Fuels found 74% of industry claims about AI’s climate benefits were unproven. The reports document rapidly rising electricity use, water consumption and raw material demands tied to chips and data-centre buildout.
  • Context and concrete actions/details: Community and local government pushback is documented with multiple cases: New Brunswick, New Jersey removed data centres from a redevelopment plan; San Marcos, Texas blocked a proposed data centre at a 5-2 vote; South Dublin County Council (Sept 2025) called for a nationwide ban/moratorium or strict conditions (e.g., 100% renewables). The article also cites corporate and contractual figures (e.g., Nvidia revenue US$215.9 billion, Palantir–ICE $30m contract) and legal or policy actions such as a UK legal challenge to a 90MW hyperscale data centre in Buckinghamshire.
• Mar 27, 2026 · IT Brief Asia

  Aquablue opens Morristown HQ after 40% workforce rise

  Aquablue has opened a new headquarters in downtown Morristown, New Jersey following workforce growth of more than 40% over the past year.

  • New headquarters in downtown Morristown: Aquablue relocated to a larger downtown Morristown site (close to New York’s financial sector) as a base for its expanding team; headcount rose more than 40% over the past year with 13% growth in Q1, recent hires include Erika Agatone as Chief Financial Officer, and the company says around 30% of its workforce are women.
  • Business model, recognitions and drivers: Aquablue operates as a communications aggregator offering a single commercial and operating model for global connectivity and NOC-as-a-Service; it was named an NJBIZ Business of the Year finalist and shortlisted at the Global Connectivity Awards, with demand driven by cloud adoption, AI tools, remote operations and the need to simplify multi-carrier procurement.
• Mar 26, 2026

  PA electric utility agrees to limit data center costs

  The proposed settlement between PPL Electric and intervenors would require large-load data centers to pay for their own interconnection and infrastructure costs, create a new large-load rate class, and provide $11 million to support residential low-income assistance; the settlement remains subject to approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

  • Main announcement/action: The settlement would create a new large-load rate class for data centers using >50 megawatts peak (or combined ≥75 megawatts within a 10-mile radius) at voltages ≥69 kilovolts, require those customers to pay their own interconnection/infrastructure costs, require a 10-year operating commitment (or face penalties), protect residential customers from stranded costs, and, if approved, have PPL contribute $11 million to low-income assistance programs (Customer Assistance Program and Low-Income Usage Reduction Program). The agreement is subject to PUC approval.
  • Background and details: The settlement is between PPL Electric and more than a dozen intervenors including the Energy Justice Advocates, consumer and community groups, and large users like Walmart; advocates (EarthJustice, POWER Interfaith) supported the protections. The article documents rising system costs driven by data centers and PJM capacity auction prices: $28.92 per megawatt-day (2023 auction for 2025 delivery), $269.92 per megawatt-day the following year (860% increase), and the December 2025 auction hitting the $333 per megawatt-day cap, which contributed to higher bills.
• Mar 24, 2026

  Experts Call for Modernization, Rewrite of 1996 Telecom Act

  The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will review the Telecommunications Act of 1996 at a House hearing.

  • Main announcement: The Subcommittee will convene a House hearing to modernize the Telecommunications Act of 1996, with written testimony from witnesses including Michael O’Rielly, INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering, Adam Thierer, and Matt Wood. Witness testimony calls for promoting competition in an AI-enabled economy and streamlining permitting so that data centers, fiber networks, and transmission infrastructure can be deployed “without years of regulatory delay.”
  • Background and agenda: A staff memorandum from Chairman Brett Guthrie and Rep. Frank Pallone selected topics including telecom competition and regulatory structure, broadband classification, the Universal Service Fund (USF) funding mechanism, changes to Section 230, media ownership, and wireless infrastructure reforms; Michael O’Rielly highlighted concerns about USF overspending, lack of oversight of USAC, outdated cable regulations, and satellite and VoIP regulation.
    • Date: hearing referenced as Thursday following the March 24, 2026 dateline (materials dated 03.26.2026)
    • Location: Washington, D.C.
    • Agenda/subject: Telecom Act modernization (competition, broadband classification, USF reform, Section 230, media ownership, wireless infrastructure, permitting for data centers/fiber/transmission)
• Mar 24, 2026

  Climate Change Solutions - March 24, 2026

  EESI published its “Climate Change Solutions” newsletter summarizing recent analysis, events, and legislative activity related to energy grid upgrades, data center impacts, and climate information integrity.

  • Main announcement: EESI highlights solutions including reconductoring to expand U.S. grid capacity, coverage of data center noise and water use issues, and a podcast on climate data integrity; the newsletter also notes EESI hosted a Rapid Readout on the repeal of the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding (readout available via EESI).
  • Additional details and timeline: Congressional actions noted include passage/introduction of bills: H.R.2709 (Save Our Sequoias Act) passed House, H.R.528 (Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025) passed House, reintroduction of S.4096 / H.R.7921 (Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act), and introduction of H.R.7977 (Energy Bills Relief Act). Upcoming EESI events: Tracking Down Data on April 23, Water Infrastructure briefing on May 7, and EXPO 2026 on June 24.
• Mar 24, 2026

  Perspectives on Energy and AI Data Centers

  NC State University hosted the Workshop on Energy Needs for AI Data Centers (FREEDM Center) to examine energy demand, grid integration, technology pathways and policy choices for AI-scale data centers.

  • Main announcement/action: The workshop presented concrete projections and site examples and discussed on-site generation (“bring your own generation“) as an interim solution while utility capacity expands. Key facts: Duke Energy projections show global AI data center demand rising from 485 TWh (2024) to 945 TWh (2030) (IEA base case, ~3% of global energy by 2030); hyperscale data centers range from 10 MW to 1 GW, with specific examples of Amazon (up to 400 MW, Richmond County, NC) and Microsoft (600 MW, Person County, NC); PowerSecure stated it can ramp up generation + storage behind-the-meter and repurpose assets to the grid after 5-10 years.

    • Date: March 2026
    • Location: NC State University, College of Engineering (FREEDM Center)
    • Agenda/subject: meeting energy demands, grid integration challenges, technology pathways, policy considerations for AI data centers

  • Background and details: The discussion contrasted grid-centric plans (Duke Energy’s 2025 IRP weighted to natural gas) with onsite alternatives including engines/turbines, fuel cells, geothermal, thermal energy storage, CHP; legislative context includes Virginia HB323 prioritizing waste heat capture and reuse. Examples cited: Joule Energy data center (Millard County, UT) up to 4 GW and DataOne Vineland, NJ up to 300 MW; references include IEA (Energy and AI) and U.S. DOE guidance on AI.