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Wallington Reverses Data Center Inclusion in Redevelopment Plan
By Drooid · · How we work
Wallington Reverses Data Center Inclusion
The borough of Wallington, New Jersey, voted to remove any reference to data centers from its redevelopment ordinance after weeks of resident opposition. The amendment, slated for introduction on October 29, will eliminate “data centers” as a permitted use on the 33-acre site that formerly housed the Farmland Dairy plant. The original Ordinance 21, introduced in August 2026, had listed data centers among possible future uses, prompting concerns that the site could later host such facilities.
Background to the Redevelopment Plan
The Farmland Dairy plant operated until 2014, was demolished, and the land was earmarked for redevelopment in January 2023. Although no concrete data-center proposal had been submitted, the inclusion of the use in the draft ordinance led residents to argue that the rules were being “rewritten” to allow future construction. Wallington resident Simon Sikorski compiled public records to highlight the change, while Mayor Melissa Dabal stated on September 10 that no data-center plans had been presented to the Planning Board or council.
Public Opinion and Environmental Concerns
Pew Research Center data released in September indicated that 54 % of Americans view data centers as “mostly bad for the environment,” up from 39 % in January, and 49 % believe they harm nearby quality of life. A Rutgers-Eagleton poll released October 16 found 72 % of New Jersey voters opposed a data center in their own town, with only 21 % in support; statewide, 55 % said the costs outweigh the benefits. In Wallington’s 9th Congressional District, Representative Nellie Pou cited a September 11 diesel spill at an Equinix data center in Secaucus—approximately 5,500 gallons of fuel entered local waterways—as evidence of environmental risk and has requested a full accounting from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Dabal reiterated that no formal data-center proposals have been submitted. Representative Pou has publicly pressed state officials for details on the Secaucus spill and broader safeguards. Vice President JD Vance, speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, emphasized that data centers must act as “good citizens” in their host communities, defending their economic benefits while acknowledging local concerns.
Broader Implications
The Wallington amendment reflects growing local resistance to data-center projects amid national debates over energy use, water consumption, and environmental impact. As midterm elections approach, the issue is becoming a salient political topic, with candidates across multiple states weighing AI-related infrastructure against community and ecological considerations.