More than half of New Jersey residents support banning new AI data centers from being built, Stockton poll finds
Nearly three-quarters of voters believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates.
More than half of New Jersey voters support banning new artificial intelligence data centers from being built in their communities, according to a new Stockton poll.
The poll, released Tuesday by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, found 56% of voters support such a ban as residents grow increasingly wary of the expansion of AI data centers across the state.
Nearly three-quarters of voters think AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates. Just 7% believe it will create more jobs, while 13% believe it would have no impact.
A plurality of voters — 41% — believe society’s increased use of AI will make their lives worse, the poll found. That is up from 36% in a 2024 Stockton poll of New Jersey residents.
Despite rising public concern, demand for AI technology has fueled rapid growth in data center development across New Jersey.
Former Gov. Phil Murphy offered tax incentives to attract data center projects as part of an effort to position the state as an AI hub.
Kenilworth residents recently criticized the town’s planning board after it moved forward with a proposal to build an AI data center on the former Merck property in Kenilworth bordering Union Township.
In February, the New Brunswick City Council reversed plans to include a data center as part of a major redevelopment plan for the city after residents pushed back.
Pemberton Township became the first municipality to pass a local ban on the construction and operation of data centers in February. Several towns have since followed with their own restrictions.
A majority of voters said they are very concerned (54%) or somewhat concerned (27%) about the impact of data centers on electricity costs statewide - roughly the same share said they are concerned about environmental impacts, including energy and water use, the poll found.
Energy demand from data centers is rising as many residents already struggle to afford utility bills.
A Stockton poll last year found nearly half of New Jersey residents had to cut back on everyday spending to pay for utilities.
“New Jersey is home to many energy-intensive industries, from pharmaceuticals to advanced manufacturing to technology, and the growth of data centers anywhere in the region will only add to existing demand pressures,” said Hughes Center assistant director Alyssa Maurice.
