The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Edison Township
Mixed Data Center Policies
New Jersey requires large data centers to cover much of their electricity costs and offer demand flexibility; reporting and construction rules add paperwork and costs. Tax incentives are available only to qualifying projects, while regulators study possible electricity-cost effects.
Rating and summary from New Jersey statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Edison Township.
pending · Township of EdisonProposes amending Edison Township’s Chapter 37 zoning code to protect the Township’s character, environment, natural resources, health, safety, and residents from perceived impacts of data centers, including energy and water consumption, infrastructure costs, generator pollution, and noise.Edison Township Ordinance O.2289-2026 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, this ordinance would prohibit data centers in every Edison zone, effectively barring new facilities and expansions that qualify as data centers. Its broad definition includes hyperscale, cloud-computing, cryptocurrency-mining, and AI facilities (data centers prohibited in all zones).
People behind it
- Township Council of Edison
Proposed and ordained Ordinance O.2289-2026 amending the zoning code to prohibit data centers in all Township zones.
- Township Clerk
Responsible for providing required notices, referring the ordinance to the Planning Board, and publishing and filing notice after adoption.
- Edison Township Planning Board
Responsible for reviewing the ordinance for consistency with the Township Master Plan and transmitting its report and recommendations.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements4
Data centers are designated as a prohibited use in all zoning districts within Edison Township, preventing their construction or operation anywhere in the Township.
The definition of “data center” is broad and includes hyperscale, colocation, cloud-computing, cryptocurrency-mining, artificial-intelligence-processing, and other high-density digital infrastructure facilities, regardless of their label. A facility capable of operating at 4 MW or more per acre, or more than 20 MW for the entire facility, is treated as a data center.
The ordinance removes “experimental or computation centers” from the permitted-use provisions in Sections 20.1 and 21.2, eliminating that listed zoning authorization.
Before adoption, the Township Clerk must provide notice of the proposed zoning amendment at least 10 days before the public hearing and refer the ordinance to the Edison Planning Board for a Master Plan consistency review. The Planning Board has 35 days after referral to submit its report.
Sources
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