Holmdel's Big Ugly Utility Poles ... and Data Centers?
- Kin Gee
- Jul 17
- 3 min read
The grassroots organization Consumers Helping Affect Regulation of Gas & Electric (CHARGE) is circulating a petition urging Governor Mikie Sherrill and the New Jersey State Legislature to adopt a statewide strategy for data centers before it’s too late.
The rapid expansion of data centers across New Jersey has largely happened under the radar. According to South Jersey Climate News, New Jersey already has more than 80 active data centers, with dozens more planned or under construction.
Communities across the state are beginning to take notice.
In Nutley, residents who spent years fighting a proposed truck terminal are now concerned that an 11-acre property could instead become a data center after a sign appeared advertising 65 megawatts of available power and zoning approval.
In Old Bridge, the Township Council introduced an ordinance in June 2026 prohibiting data centers in every zoning district after residents raised concerns about the enormous strain these facilities place on local electric infrastructure.
Nearby Sayreville has an 18-month data center moratorium due to public opposition and concerns about health, environmental impact, energy, and the cost of living.
Most recently, on July 13, 2026, Neptune Township joined at least 24 other New Jersey municipalities that have banned data centers. Assisted in part by the Climate Revolution Action Network, a Gen Z-led environmental organization, similar bans have been enacted or introduced in Andover Township, Asbury Park, Franklin Township, Millville, Red Bank, Sayreville, and Warren Township.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a one-year moratorium on construction of large data centers.
Holmdel's Big Ugly Utility Poles
Meanwhile, Holmdel residents continue to express frustration over the massive utility poles now being installed throughout parts of our community, dramatically changing the character of some of Holmdel's most scenic roads.
The Holmdel Township Committee has yet to provide satisfactory answers to residents' questions.
Even more concerning, as public frustration has grown, Mayor Rocco Impreveduto attempted to deflect responsibility by claiming that the grassroots group Residents Against Giant Electric (RAGE) approved the project now being built. Even after Rachael Kanapka, RAGE’s Co-President, set the record straight that RAGE has neither the authority nor the ability to approve any JCP&L project, Mayor Impreveduto has been conspicuously silent.
The obvious question is: Why is so much new electrical infrastructure being installed? And could it someday support a major new electrical load - such as a data center - either in Holmdel or nearby?
Whether located in Holmdel or a neighboring community, data centers have consequences that extend far beyond municipal borders. They require extraordinary amounts of electricity, substantial water resources, and major upgrades to transmission infrastructure.
The CHARGE petition states:
"Data centers are unlike traditional commercial or industrial developments. Their demands on electricity, water, and infrastructure extend far beyond municipal boundaries and will shape New Jersey's environmental and energy future for decades."
The petition calls on Governor Mikie Sherrill and the New Jersey Legislature to establish a statewide Data Center Planning Board or centralized review authority before additional projects move forward. Once these facilities are approved and billions of dollars are invested in supporting infrastructure, many of the environmental, utility, and financial impacts become extremely difficult - if not impossible - to reverse.
You can read and sign the petition here:
Will Holmdel - and neighboring towns - join the growing list of New Jersey municipalities taking action on data centers?
Stay tuned.
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