Warren County Commissioner Kern discusses data center planning at statewide environmental conference
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Middlesex County) — Warren County Commissioner James R. Kern III discussed data center development and local land-use planning during the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions’ 2026 Environmental Congress on Friday, Sept. 25.
Kern participated in a featured workshop on artificial intelligence data centers and how local planning can prepare communities for their development.
ANJEC is a nonprofit organization that works with environmental commissions, individuals and local and state agencies to protect natural resources and promote healthy communities.
“The ANJEC Congress provided an important opportunity to bring stakeholders from across New Jersey together to discuss data center development and its potential impacts. Local environmental commissions and residents are closest to these issues, and they can play an important role in shaping local policy and protecting the natural resources our communities depend on,” Kern said.
During his presentation, Kern discussed Warren County’s location in a region where land-use decisions can affect groundwater, streams and drinking water supplies. He also discussed his experience with public concerns over protecting natural resources amid development.
Kern pointed to the emergence of large warehouses as a regional land-use concern and the county’s efforts to help municipalities plan before development proposals were submitted.
With data centers, Warren County is taking a similar approach by examining potential regional impacts and providing municipalities with land-use tools to address proposals at the local level.
In 2025, Warren County distributed a model ordinance to all 22 municipalities addressing data centers through local zoning.
Under the model ordinance, municipalities could designate data centers as a non-permitted use across all zoning districts if officials determined that approach was appropriate based on local conditions.
Municipal officials were encouraged to consult with attorneys, planners and other land-use professionals and consider the potential effects of large-scale data centers on communities, infrastructure and environmental resources.
The framework also addressed infrastructure concerns, including the significant electrical capacity and supporting systems that large-scale data centers can require.
According to the county, 18 of Warren County’s 22 municipalities now have protections in place related to data center development.
