‘Not on my watch': NJ Gov. Sherrill unveils crackdown on AI data centers driving up energy bills for residents

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill introduced a plan to regulate AI data centers, which are driving up energy costs, straining the power grid, and increasing water consumption. The strategy includes requiring data centers to fund their own energy infrastructure, mandating transparency in resource use, establishing community benefit agreements, and promoting union jobs with prevailing wages. Data centers accounted for 70% of projected energy demand growth last year, with some facilities consuming 300 megawatts.