Union Township adopts ban on AI data centers after resident testimony and coalition support

Union Township’s committee on June 4, 2026 adopted an ordinance amending chapter 170 of the municipal code to prohibit AI data centers in all zoning districts, the committee announced following public comment and a Roll Call vote recorded in the meeting. The motion passed with affirmative votes from Mr. Figero, Mr. Terrell, Mr. Bowser, Mr. Florio and Mayor Frasier.

The ordinance drew public support from Lori Wade, who said she represents the newly registered nonprofit Union County Residents Alliance Coalition and thanked the committee for moving to ban data centers. "We collectively want to thank you for introducing this ban and expressing your stance on AI data centers in the township," Wade said, and asked the mayor to promote the policy at the next New Jersey mayors’ meeting.

Multiple residents expanded on concerns about a nearby project across the border at the former Merc site in Kennallorth, where Coreweave is developing what residents described as an active data center (the site was described in the record as 'Nest 11') and where speakers said additional facilities and a substation were being proposed. Lillian Cruz told the committee she understood Coreweave planned two more data centers plus a large substation and that the lot had been subdivided so there would be one lot per facility. Cruz also said the underway retrofit at 'Nest 11' includes added generators and chillers and expressed health and environmental worries tied to generator emissions. "During the hottest months of summer ... the grid will stress ... forces the data center to turn on the generators," Cruz said, warning that prevailing summer winds could carry nitrogen oxides toward Union neighborhoods and schools.

Township staff responded that no Environmental Justice Impact Statement (EJIS) was on file with the township and that, in the staff’s account, such statements are typically required for federally regulated projects; the committee did not announce a separate EJIS filing. Residents said they had also reached out to state legislators about the project.

The ordinance vote and accompanying public comments were the most publicized actions on the agenda. The committee’s motion to adopt the ordinance was moved and seconded on the record; the transcript shows a unanimous recorded vote. The meeting record does not identify a mover and seconder by name for the adoption motion. The ban applies to AI data centers in all zoning districts as written in the ordinance language read into the record.

The committee and residents indicated that oversight and potential follow-up would continue, including outreach to the police and the planning board for project-specific issues. The meeting concluded with committee approval of other routine resolutions and the committee adjourned.