Murphy conditionally vetoes NJ's data center transparency bill, pending changes

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has thrown a wrench into the state's efforts to increase transparency around massive artificial intelligence data centers, vetoing legislation that would require them to disclose their water and electricity use.

Murphy's conditional veto means the bill will not be finalized without significant changes. The governor wants lawmakers to make several key modifications, including directing regulators to assess whether data centers are unfairly burdening other ratepayers with their power and cooling demands.

The original bill required data center operators to report their utility use within six months of its signing. However, Murphy's conditional veto would extend that timeline until January 2027, sparking concerns from lawmakers that this delay will undermine transparency and make it difficult for regulators to respond effectively.

Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, a Democrat, expressed frustration with the proposal, stating that delaying action will lead to "irreversible impacts" and weaken the state's ability to address the issue. She vowed to continue fighting for transparency in the 2026 legislative session.

Murphy's veto also seeks to bar the release of information about data centers' utility use under public records laws, except for anonymized information disclosed in a report on their energy consumption. This move has raised concerns that the state is prioritizing industry interests over public access to critical information.

The issue highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence data centers in New Jersey's economy and the need for policymakers to strike a balance between promoting growth and ensuring transparency and accountability. As the governor-elect takes office next year, Ruiz signaled that this issue will remain a top priority, despite the delay imposed by Murphy's conditional veto.

I'm low-key disappointed about this news . I mean, who doesn't want to know how much energy these massive AI data centers are sipping? It's like, what's the harm in being transparent about it? I can see why Senate Majority Leader Ruiz is upset - delaying transparency and accountability is not gonna help anything. And barcing out info from public records laws? That's just shady . I'm all for striking a balance between growth and oversight, but this feels like the data centers are getting a free pass . As Ruiz said, this delay could lead to irreversible impacts... let's hope next year's governor-elect comes in with some fresh ideas and prioritizes transparency, or we might be stuck in the dark ages .

AI data centers are just getting out of control . Governor Murphy thinks delaying transparency is okay though? It's like he's saying "oh, don't worry about knowing how much power these giant AI hubs suck" . And now lawmakers have to go back and fix it... meanwhile, the issue gets even more complicated . The thing is, data centers are huge energy consumers, so someone gotta know how much they're using. It's not like it's going to hurt anyone if we just make them spill their guts every six months . Murphy wants regulators to look into if other ratepayers are getting screwed, but that's kinda the point - these massive AI centers are already taking up a ton of resources . Can't wait to see what happens next... probably more delays and less transparency

man... it's like, what's the real cost of all this growth in AI data centers? we're talkin' 'bout these massive operations suckin' up electricity and water like crazy, and now the gov is just lettin' 'em slide with some watered-down changes . it's all about findin' that balance between progress and accountability, but sometimes i feel like we're just tryin' to sweep things under the rug instead of dealin' with the real issues.

i mean, what's the point of havin' transparency if it's just gonna be delayed by a few years? it's like we're playin' a game of catch-up, and by the time we figure out how to do it right, the problems are gonna be way bigger . and it's not just about the data centers themselves, it's about the whole ecosystem that depends on 'em. we need to think about the people and places affected by this growth, not just the companies makin' the money .

it's a tough conversation to have, but someone gotta start askin' the hard questions .

I'm really worried about these massive AI data centers taking over our state I mean, they're supposed to be driving growth and innovation, but at what cost? The fact that Phil Murphy is trying to block transparency around their water and electricity use just doesn't sit right with me . It's like he's letting the big corporations get away with something.

I've lived in Jersey my whole life and I know how important it is to have access to information about what's going on in our state . The original bill would have been a huge step forward, but now it looks like that's being taken away from us . It's not just about transparency - it's about accountability too .

I'm also kinda concerned about the whole "industry interests over public access" vibe . As someone who cares deeply about our community, I think we need to make sure that we're representing everyone's voice, not just the one of the big corporations . This is a huge issue and it needs to be taken seriously

omg did u know that in 2022 NJ data centers used over 140 million kWh of electricity? and btw they accounted for like 15% of the state's total energy consumption! it's crazy right?! so yeah i get why senator Ruiz is all bent outta shape about this meanwhile murphy's conditional veto is giving me all sorts of anxiety about when we'll actually know how much power these data centers are using... 6 months to january 2027 is a looong time and it's not like they're gonna magically start reporting their utility use or anything anyway did u hear that NJ data centers are now worth like $15 BILLION ? some serious growth happening there... but transparency? forget about it

I'm like totally stoked that these politicians are trying to be transparent about those massive AI data centers in NJ! It makes sense for them to want more info on how much water & electricity they're using tho . But, I gotta agree with Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, delaying action like this might make it harder for regulators to tackle the issue when it matters most .

I'm all about striking a balance between promoting growth and keeping things transparent and accountable, you feel? It's not just about giving data centers more freedom, but also making sure we're not sacrificing public access to crucial info in the process . I'm rooting for Ruiz to keep pushing for transparency next year !

OMG, THIS IS SO FREAKING ANNOYING!!! i mean, seriously, how can you just ignore the public's right to know what's going on in these massive data centers?! they're basically sucking up all our electricity and water without any transparency, and now murphy is trying to extend that timeline by like, 2 whole years?! it's just not fair! senate leader ruiz is totally right, this delay will only make things worse and put the state's ability to regulate these data centers at risk . i think it's time for our governor-elect to get on board with making some real changes ASAP

I'm not sure I agree with Governor Phil Murphy's approach on this one... The need for transparency around massive AI data centers is crucial, especially considering their significant impact on our state's energy consumption and infrastructure. Delaying the reporting of utility use by six more months seems like a non-starter to me . While I understand the governor's concerns about industry interests vs public access, do we really want to compromise transparency for the sake of industry convenience? The longer we wait, the more difficult it becomes to address potential issues and hold data center operators accountable . I'd rather see policymakers take a more proactive stance on this issue, even if it means finding compromises that balance growth with transparency

I feel like the gov is being super reasonable ... I mean, six months to report on water & electricity use? That's a pretty steep ask for data center operators. And yeah, maybe it's true that extending the timeline to 2027 might be a bit of a pain in the neck, but is it really worth risking the whole thing goes down the drain? I'm also kinda cool with Murphy trying to tweak the bill to make sure industry interests are taken into account. It's all about finding that balance between growth and transparency, right?

Another one bites the dust! Can you believe NJ Governor Phil Murphy is prioritizing industry interests over public access to info about massive AI data centers? The fact that he's delaying transparency and accountability until 2027 is a major red flag for me . I'm all for growth, but come on, Governor! Can't we balance progress with some basic transparency? The delay will only lead to "irreversible impacts" as Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz put it, and I'm already dreading what this means for the future of our planet . I hope the next governor-elect comes through on their promise to tackle this issue head-on !

Ugh, I'm so frustrated with Phil Murphy's decision . The AI data centers are getting way too big and powerful in our state and we need to know how they're impacting our environment . It's not about being "burdensome" on other ratepayers, it's about transparency and accountability . If lawmakers can't even get a simple bill passed without some backroom deal-making, what's the point of having democracy in place? I'm all for growth and innovation, but we need to make sure our leaders are looking out for the people, not just corporate interests . And now they're saying we won't know how much energy these centers are using until 2027?! That's a total delay tactic . Teresa Ruiz is on the right track, let's hope she can push through some real changes in 2026 .

man this is wild think about it like AI data centers are just another part of our modern landscape but we're still figuring out how to make them work for everyone not just the big corporations that own them transparency is key but what does that even mean in practice?

i feel like murphy's veto is a good example of how hard it is to balance growth with accountability we need more people at the table making sure that these data centers aren't just sucking up resources without anyone really knowing why or how they're doing it

and what does it say about our society when lawmakers are fighting over whether or not to disclose info about utility use? shouldn't we be working together to figure out how to make this stuff work for everyone, not getting bogged down in bureaucratic red tape?

OMG, I'm so disappointed in Phil Murphy ! I mean, I get it, he's trying to protect the industry and all, but come on, transparency is key here ! It's not like they're hiding anything nefarious or shady, just their utility use data . And now lawmakers are going to have to go back to the drawing board because of this conditional veto ? It's just frustrating when politics gets in the way of making things right . I'm all for finding a balance between growth and transparency, but this feels like a step backwards . Can we please just get some clear answers about these data centers' impact on our environment and rates?

I gotta say, this is like, totally a David vs Goliath situation . The people of NJ want to know what's going on with those massive AI data centers and their water & electricity use, but the governor is all like "hold up, let me talk to the industry first" . It's like, transparency is important for accountability, you feel? But at the same time, I get that the state wants to make sure they're not stifling innovation .

But what's really got me thinking is, why do we need a conditional veto in the first place? It feels like a way to slow down progress and give industries more leeway . And now lawmakers are like "oh no, this delay will undermine transparency" . It's like, can't we just agree on some basic principles of transparency and accountability?

And let's be real, this is all about the balance between growth and regulation . Do we want to prioritize economic growth or ensure that our leaders are being held accountable for their actions? It's like, a classic debate , but what's at stake here is something much bigger than just one piece of legislation .

omg i cant even... think about all those data centers in nj and how much energy they're using it's like we're not even getting any info on how to reduce our carbon footprint or anything! i get that industry wants some flexibility, but shouldn't we be able to access info on how our tax dollars are being spent? especially when it comes to something as resource-intensive as these data centers. senator Ruiz is totally right, delaying transparency can lead to big problems down the line and what's up with murphy's veto anyway? wouldn't extending the reporting timeline just give more time for companies to find ways to keep their usage under wraps? i guess that's just how politics works, but still...

Ugh, come on Governor Murphy ! I mean, can't you see how this is gonna affect us regular folks? Data centers are like, super cool and all, but we need to know what's going on behind those walls . Delaying transparency by six more years is just ridiculous - what if another massive AI data center pops up and starts sucking our water and electricity dry? We gotta be vigilant about this stuff .

And btw, isn't it ironic that you're prioritizing industry interests over public access to info? Like, I get that businesses want to thrive, but so do we - the taxpayers who foot the bill for these data centers . This whole situation is just a mess - I'm keeping an eye on this one, for sure .

I think its pretty shady that Gov. Murphy is delaying transparency around massive AI data centers. I mean, who doesn't want to know what these behemoths are using up in resources? The whole point of increased transparency was so we can all keep an eye on how they're affecting our communities and ratepayers.

It just seems like the industry is getting a free pass here. If you ask me, Gov. Murphy's trying to give them too much wiggle room. Now, the lawmakers are having to go back to the drawing board because of his veto, and we all lose out on valuable info that could be used to make informed decisions.

I'm not sure what kind of balance Gov. Murphy is thinking about striking between growth and transparency, but I think its a tough spot for anyone. As it stands now, I think lawmakers like Senator Ruiz have every right to express their concerns about the delay. The public deserves to know whats going on here, and this conditional veto just seems like more corporate speak