If you’ve been wondering what Clean Water Action has been up to lately, you’re in the right place! There’s a lot happening—from organizing in our communities and pushing for stronger environmental protections to celebrating the progress—members like you help make possible. Here’s a quick look at where we’ve been, what’s ahead, and where your voice can make a difference. Thanks for being with us!
Banning AI Data Centers on the Local Level
New Jersey residents are banning AI data centers one local ordinance at a time. Clean Water Action is currently working alongside allies in support of these community efforts to ban hyperscale data centers in NJ. More than 70 municipalities have succeeded in adopting a ban resolution in their town. With 81% of NJ voters are concerned about the environmental impact these facilities will have, 30 towns have pending ordinances to ban data centers, and more towns join the fight each month.
Gov. Sherrill recently signed the Data Center Fair Share bill (A796/ S731) that lowers the cost of electricity for ratepayers by making 50+megawatt (MW) data centers build and pay for their own power generation. But the new law isn’t enough to keep data centers in check the way a state moratorium would; New York understood that and became the first state to adopt a statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers via executive order. Clean Water Action along with 60+ groups wrote to Governor Sherrill calling for a statewide moratorium on 20+ MW facilities; but despite these efforts the administration has not taken inspiration from our Hudson neighbor.
Our Environmental Justice Organizer, Cassandra Lainez, has been meeting with experts in diverse fields to investigate the full implications hyperscale data centers will have on our water supply, communities and broader environment. In addition to roughly consuming 1-2.5 million gallons of water a day, enough for 3,300 – 8,300 households, the alternative “closed loop” cooling system for these facilities contains large amounts of PFAS (forever chemicals). New Jersey residents shouldn’t be placed in harms way when it comes to our quality of life and health. Want to learn more or get involved? Use this to pass a local resolution to ban AI data centers in your town.
Strongest Skip the Stuff plastic reduction law now effective!
Thank you to a large number of people who helped NJ pass the strongest plastic reduction law since the bag ban, and the strongest of its kind in the country! Commonly called Skip the Stuff, the law went into effect on August 1. Clean Water Action led both at the local (65 municipal policies) and state level to have customers only get the single-use cutlery and condiments that they want (and only upon request). Simple and easy method of reduction. Clean Water Action has been making presentations across the state (and nation-wide) while also engaging with youth to educate and advocate for reduction. There are huge financial benefits to businesses and municipalities, environmental, and health benefits of reducing the use of plastic. Please reach out to Marta Young if you want to help your town do a case study to document the reductions achieved locally and across the state.
Civic Engagement and Democracy
Clean Water Action is gearing up for Federal elections. We are interviewing congressional candidates throughout the state. Currently, New Jersey sends a pro-environmental majority to Congress, and we want to help grow it by at least one as well as raise the potential of flipping the House. Our best bet is in the 7th District where incumbent Tom Kean Jr. has an abysmal anti-environmental record in Congress. If successful on both fronts, Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-6), our environmental champion, could return as Chair of the all-powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Remember you can make a difference – one vote at a time. So register to vote and keep an eye out for our slate of endorsements and our reasons why.
Fighting for Better Freight and Goods Movement
Clean Water Action was recently featured in the Spring 2026 Urban Mayors Press. In the featured article, "Zero Emission Solutions for NJ's Urban Centers” on page 37 of the Urban Mayors Press, Clean Water Action highlights the need for statewide policy like ISR (Indirect Source Review) to reduce diesel truck pollution at NJ’s ports and warehouses. The article also highlights the power and responsibility that local officials have especially those in port-adjacent and warehouse heavy districts, towards ensuring that communities impacted the most from diesel truck pollution are protected from ports and warehouses.
Clean Water Action has also been working on expanding truck count and air monitor sessions as part of our Kids Clean Air Zone Campaign. It is a community driven initiative focused on advocating truck rerouting away from sensitive areas like school, community centers, recreational and residential areas, etc through the passage of local ordinances. Interested? Contact Tolani Taylor, Clean Water Action, Zero Emissions and Warehouse organizer.
We also plan to host our second annual port tour scheduled for Aug 27. You can sign up HERE to join.
