Articles 7.14.26.pdf

INNOVATION/) Op-Ed Published June 15. = SHARE pete-pay-fot-thelt-owne infrastructure him), bu business and labor leaders jointly wrote about the need for greater education as it relates to data center development in New Jersey. NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka and IBEW Local 102 President Bernie Corrigan said that their op-ed was not “a case for approving every project” and Gov. Mikie Sherrill was correct in calling for transparency and community review as part of her recently announced data center plon But the business and labor leaders came together to say there has been much fear and misinformation spread about Al data center growth In the state and that New Jersey, as the Innovation State, “cannot let misperception outrun opportunity.” “We should be positioning New Jersey as a leader in Al innovation at exactly the moment that position is worth something,” Corrigan and Siekerka wrote. “National ond global economies are at an inflection point, a bold new era of innovation. Data centers are investments for this era. The states that understand this are already ahead. New Jersey should be one of them, “The last thing we want to do in this rapidly acvancing space of Alis to puta firewall around New Jersey being a leader in this emerging new economy,” they said. Siekerka and Corrigan said that while many communities are asking the right questions where data centers are being considered, residents are sometimes provided misinformation from organized opposition to those facilities, specifically in the areas of electricity costs, water usage, emissions, noise levels and community impact. Here's how they set the record straight in those areas: On electricity costs: “Electricity rotes in New Jersey are set by utilities and regulated by the Board of Public Utilities, not by dato center operators. Here's the sharper question we should be asking: Is the data center operator funding the new infrastructure it will require? “if the utility builds it ond recovers the cost through rates, that bill lands on residential customers. If the data center operator funds it directly, there's no infrastructure cost to pass along. https:/injbla.org/njbia- bew-lecat-i02-set-record-straight-on-ai-data-centers-in-new-op-ed/2ulm_sourceschatgpl.com A), TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION (HTTPS://NuBIA.ORG/CATEGORY/Al-TECHNOLOGY- NJBIA, IBEW Local 102 Set Record Straight on AJ

i02-set-record-straight-on-ai-data-centers-in-new-op-ed/2ulm_sourceschatgpl.com A), TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION (HTTPS://NuBIA.ORG/CATEGORY/Al-TECHNOLOGY- NJBIA, IBEW Local 102 Set Record Straight on AJ Datla Centers in New Most Popular News (hiips injbia argfivco-selssinio= Sesslons-for-adult-jearners-ages- 25/), RVGC Sets Info Sessions for Adult Learners Ages 25+ {https://njbia.org/rvec-sets-into~ sessions-for-adult-learners~ages~ 25/) DEP Sets July 7 Pubiic Hearing on Delay of Controversial Flood Elevation Rules (https://njbia.org/dep-sets-july-7- public-hearing-on-delay-of- controversial-fiood-elevation- rules/) NJBIA Statement on Samsung Leaving NJ, State's Business Climate (https://njbia.org/njbia-statement- on-samsung-leaving-nj-states- business-climate/) NJCPA Society Names Christopher Lovasz President (https://njbia.org/njcpa-society- names-christopher-lovasz- 6/28/26, 11:47 PM Page | of 4

“The responsible ones do the latter, os we see with the CoreWeave project in Kenilworth, which is funding its own substation construction and procuring clean energy at o premium for the facility. The new capacity they build will serve the broader grid, not just their own facility. That's the standard that communities should be demanding.” On water usage: “During construction, the cooling system requires a one-time water fill After that, it runs on a closed-Icop design that circulates continuously, moving heat through the system yeor-round without drawing on the local water supply. “For context, that initial fill is roughly whet an 18-hote golf course uses in a few days, Once operational, day-to-day woter use at the facility amounts to what you'd expect from any office building of similar size for break rooms and bathrooms.” On omissions and noise: “The industry is moving toward carbon-free energy procurement, and software improvements hove driven dramatic efficiency gains. “As for noise levels, New Jersey law sets hard limits: 50 decibels at night, 65 during the day. For context, 50 decibels is a quiet room and 65 Is about the same as background music in a coffee shop. The facitity has to stay below that after 10 p.m. These are enforceable standards, not suggestions.” On community impact and jobs: “Before the first server goes online, o data center does something tangible for the community hosting It: it goes on the property tax rolls, That revenue flows directly to local school districts, which in New Jersey are perpetually underiunded and perennially dependent on Trenton to make up the difference. *For local employment, critics point to low permanent headcounts at individual facilities. That framing ignores contractors, on-site tenant workers, suppliers, and the broader economic activity that o large permanent facility anchors.” Cortigan and Siekerka also said that lerge, permanent infrastructure ottracts businesses that depend on reliable digital capacity. “suppiiers, contractors, and service providers tend to put down roots near the anchor facility,” they said. “Thot's not theoretical. It's how regional economies have always built around major infrestructure investments.” To read Siekerka and Corrigan’s full NJ.com op-ed, click

anchor facility,” they said. “Thot's not theoretical. It's how regional economies have always built around major infrestructure investments.” To read Siekerka and Corrigan’s full NJ.com op-ed, click here (ottps:/www.nj.com/opinien/2026/06/nj-business~labor-teaders-data~centers-wont= spike-your-electric-bill-if-developers- pay-for-their-own- infrastructure htm). https yniblaorginjia-ibee local 62 -set-recard-straight-on-ai-data-centers-in-new-ap-ed/?uim_souree schatgpleoin president/) NJBIA Launches ‘Rethink RGGI’ Campaign to Lower NJ Energy Costs & Improve Environment (https:/{njbic.org/njbia-launches- rethink-rggi-campaign-to-lower- nj-energy-costs-improve~ environment/) More power to dream AEAEN Hs (nttps://servedbyadbutier.com/redirect spark? MID=1667254plid=3704520&setID=40)167&chay glle-4dc8-abad- SfibSddl4c7l&he=6 56802903: (hites:/ /servedbyadbutler.com/ redirect spark? MID=1667256plid=370522G4setiD=18434\6chat 303{83cbbhe6éhe=c28od5560ebS76ehellck4" Bi26)26, WAT Pl Paye 2ata

Summer Sale - $1 for 3 months - Expires 6/29/26 OPINION N.J. business, labor leaders: Data centers won't spike your electric bill if developers pay for their own infrastructure Published: Jun. 12, 2026, 7:30 a.m. Ng An exterior view of a proposed large-scale Al data center in Kenilworth. Wednesday, April 29, 2026 John Jones | For NJ.com & & @ GF A G Adduson Google

& You've been gifted this article and have access until Jun 22, 2026. Learn more. €} Listen: N.J. business, labor leaders: Data centers won't spike your electric bill if 1K developers pay for their own infrastructure About 5 Minutes and Everdil By Michele Siekerka and Bernie Corrigan Over the years, NJBIA and the state’s organized labor leadership have been on opposite sides of some of the hardest fights in ‘Irenton.But when we find ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder on a major policy matter, it’s worth discussing why. ‘The answer is simple: Many communities across New Jersey are debating decisions about data centers based on fear, and the facts don’t support that fear. siana Gre and Ethan Slater feportediy split alter neatly three years of dating. The breakup ‘couple first began dating in 202 ‘that isn’t a case for approving every project. Gov. Mikie Sherrill was right to call for transparency and serious community review as part of her recently announced data center plan, Not all proposals are equal, and communities are asking the right questions. They deserve clear answers. Unfortunately, much of what's circulating in affected communities isn’t always fact.

Already a subscriber? Piease sign in Enjoying this eifted article? Get a week of Subscriber Exclusive contort for PREE with this 7-day pass! No credit card required. po BEST OFFER ee Ne ( Get a free week Alis already a facet of our everyday lives, and it's transforming sectors fundamental to breakthroughs in healthcare, scientific research and national security. As we work to reclaim our status as the Innovation State, while also seeking to galvanize our economy, New Jersey cannot let misperception outrun opportunity. We should be positioning ourselves as a leader in AI innovation at exactly the moment that position is worth something. On electricity costs Here’s a clear-eyed view of the main concerns. The most common fear is that data centers will drive up residential utility bills. It has happened before: A large facility arrives, pushes an existing substation to capacity, and ratepayers end up footing the infrastructure bill to build a new one. That concern is legitimate. The details are what matter.

Electricity rates in New Jersey are set by utilities and regulated by the Board of Public Utilities, not by data center operators. Here’s the sharper question we should be asking: Is the data center operator funding the new infrastructure it will require? If the utility builds it and recovers the cost through rates, that bill lands on residential customers. If the data center operator funds it directly, there’s no infrastructure cost to pass along. The responsible ones do the latter, as we see with the CoreWeave project in Kenilworth, which is funding its own substation construction and procuring clean energy at a premium for the facility. The new capacity it builds will serve the broader grid, not just its own facility. That's the standard communities should be demanding. On water, emissions and noise During construction, the cooling system requires a one-time water fill. After that, it runs on a closed-loop design that circulates continuously, moving heat through the system year-round without drawing on the local water supply. For context, that initial fill is roughly what an 18-hole golf course uses in a few days. Once operational, day-to-day water use amounts to what you’d expect from any office building of similar size for break rooms and bathrooms. On emissions and noise: What if we told you Google reduced its data center emissions by 12% in 2024? The industry is moving toward carbon-free energy procurement, and software improvements have driven efficiency gains. As for noise levels, New Jersey law sets hard limits: 50 decibels at night, 65 during the day. For context, 50 decibels is a quiet room, and 65 is about the same as background music in a coffee shop. Facilities must stay below that after 10 p.m. These are enforceable standards, not suggestions. On community impact and jobs

Before the first server goes online, a data center does something tangible for its host community: It goes on the property tax rolls. That revenue flows directly to local school districts, which in New aw: are perpetually underfunded and dependent on Trenton to mie upStbtewH dita ce. cility ch®iggds that math in a meaningful way. Mate ve the di PFerence, But asingle Fort ciunges For local employment, critics point to low permanent headcounts at individual facilities. That framing ignores contractors, on-site tenant workers, suppliers and the broader economic activity a large permanent facility anchors. Nationally, labor income from the data center industry grew 144% between 2017 and 2023. In New Jersey, a recent PwC report counted 35,180 direct jobs in the sector in 2024, contributing $14.8 billion in labor income. Each direct job supports an estimated 4.5 positions elsewhere in the economy. Large, permanent infrastructure attracts businesses that depend on reliable digital capacity. Suppliers, contractors and service providers tend to put down roots near the anchor facility. That’s not theoretical. It’s how regional economies have always built around major infrastructure investments. The national and global economies are at an inflection point — a bold new era of innovation. Data centers are investments for this era. The states that understand this are already ahead. New Jersey should be one of them. NJBIA will soon release a report on the full realities of data centers. In the meantime, we encourage people to seek out the facts. The last thing we want to do in this rapidly advancing space of AI is put a firewall around New Jersey being a leader in this emerging economy. Michele Siekerka is president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. Bernie Corrigan is president of IBEW Local 102.

New Jersey's “First in the Nation” Comprehensive Plan to Regulate Data Centers Pamela Goodwin, Melissa Clarke, Katherine Meek Published 06/01/2026 0X fH Mm On May 27, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced a Comprehensive Plan to regulate data centers in an effort to protect ratepayers from increased costs associated with high electricity demands imposed by large load data centers. Governor Sherrill’s announcement comes just weeks after a coalition of more than 60 New Jersey organizations urged the state to temporarily halt approval and construction of large-scale data centers.!!l While Sherrill's Plan sets forth clear recommended guardrails, the specific legal mandates will require legislative action or formal regulatory rule-making before they have binding legal effect. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ¢ Governor Sherrill announced her Comprehensive Plan to regulate data centers in New Jersey. * Sherrill's Plan consists of four pillars which include shifting cost burdens associated with data center development from ratepayers to data centers; improving transparency through biannual data center reporting requirements; introducing standards and resources to municipalities for bitps:jfyrvew. saul.comfinsights/alertinew-jerseys-first-nation-co...cehensive-pian-regulate-data-centors?utm_source=chatgpl.com 6/26/26, 1:45 PM Paye tof S