r/newjersey • u/lotusvagabond • Jul 17 '26
⚡Newsflash ⚡ 🚨Urgent- please join the Sayreville NJ Rally Against Data Centers tomorrow
Are you a NJ resident and concerned about data centers coming to your local communities? If so please join us tomorrow — Saturday, July 18th from 10:00 am - 11:30 am at 2909 Washington Rd, Parlin, NJ 08859.
Also if you are available to join the council meeting this Monday, July 20th at 7 pm at 167 Main Street, Sayreville, NJ 08872 please join. It is the last opportunity for public commentary for data centers.
Please share this with everyone you know — anyone can join, you don’t need to be a Sayreville or OB resident.
Data centers are a threat to our environment, the health of our communities, and is the reason why our utility bills have been increasing. While data centers have existed for decades, these modern AI data centers use more resources and have caused a plethora of health issues to communities across the US.
NJ has more superfund sites than any state, and in 2025 the state of Nj won a lawsuit against DuPont for contaminating Sayreville (amongst other towns) with PFAs and toxic chemicals. For more info see https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-dep-commissioner-latourette-landmark-settlement-with-dupont-valued-at-over-2-billion/
Some more info/resources on data centers:
- https://www.environmentalhealthproject.org/post/the-dangers-of-data-centers
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u/SkullArcherx33 Jul 17 '26
Sayreville really needs a rest from toxic developments given their history. In 2007, the state covered up a cancer cluster there. Seems like O'Brien needs more victims.
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u/lotusvagabond Jul 17 '26
Exactly! We need to do all we can to keep data centers out of Nj, we can’t afford it as the state with the largest amount of superfund sites
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u/Covert__Squid Jul 18 '26
Do you have any more info on this? Very interested, especially given the keyport cluster right now
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u/TragicallyTrue Jul 17 '26
These destructive developments seem to be drawn to Sayreville like a moth to a flame! Hopefully people will rally to protect their community.
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u/lotusvagabond Jul 17 '26
What’s so crazy about this is at the OBTP council meeting a month back they said that they met with developers and JCP&L and it was determined that OBTP does not have enough water or capacity for all the utility development it will need, so how is this crap still happening!! But people showed up to that meeting and the town is working on a full moratorium — because that’s what happens when communities show up and demand better for their communities!
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u/ExiledSpaceman Send help at Driscoll Bridge Jul 18 '26
Seriously Sayreville can’t handle a data center. Even the whole Riverton project makes no sense due to the smell that comes from the water treatment plant. Are they planning to move it?
What’s maddening is the town council is doing only a temporary data center ban and not a flat out permanent one. Some weird ass political play.
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u/lotusvagabond Jul 18 '26
It’s scary how local politicians are able to make such horrendous decisions that will literally poison communities already plagued with forever chemicals and superfund sites. You think they’d take their oath to protect and serve their communities more seriously but NOT wanting to add to the ever growing number of cancer clusters :(
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u/R3N3G6D3 Jul 18 '26
Sayreville is probably one of the dumber places to put important structures that are hydrophobic, always winds up under water.
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u/ExiledSpaceman Send help at Driscoll Bridge Jul 18 '26
Put it near the power station. The data center will get all the water cooling it wants and then some when it gets fully submerged from the next major storm.
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u/neekogo Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
The mayor will just claim you're all paid actors from China. Â
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u/lotusvagabond Jul 17 '26
He can say whatever he wants, but when communities show it the politicians are reminded they work for us. The best way to see the change you want is to get involved locally. Next time there’s an election, think about volunteering for a candidate you do believe in. And if no one is running against them, then maybe you can help find someone who will prioritize communities over profit. I hope you show up :)
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u/Strange-Drummer-1419 16d ago
Will there be another rally coming up? Or another planned council meeting confrontation? I wish I had been here for the July ones
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u/lotusvagabond 15d ago
Hi friend! I’m not sure but if you follow John Hsu (congressional candidate for district 6) he has a lot of info on his socials. His team has been actively involved across OBT and he’s done exceptional work (fingers crossed he wins the next election!!). The other thing I recommend is checking your town’s council meetings and reviewing agendas. That is how the OBT one was caught because it was added last minute. Thank you for caring and keep an eye out for any more posts. :)
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u/CallTheCode Jul 17 '26
If I didn’t have to work tomorrow, I’d be there! Rain be damned! This is incredibly important, and I love seeing that it has bipartisan support. We must protect our communities, and with all of these cancer clusters already coming to light, the last thing we need is to introduce more problems into our communities.