The following statement was authored by Ron Filan, NJ-02 Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s Campaign Manager and Director of Political Affairs provided exclusively to Vineland Today.
“United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s campaign released the following statement in response to COMPLETLEY FALSE statements that he had any role whatsoever in approving or advocating for a data center project in Vineland.
Congressman Van Drew understands and shares concerns about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the demands that come with it, but it’s important to be clear that unlike offshore wind - which involved FEDERAL permits - there is no federal government component to the Vineland data center project so anyone who tells you otherwise simply isn’t shooting straight, said Van Drew’s Campaign Manager and Director of Political Affairs Ron Filan.
When it comes to data centers in general, regardless of whether they are here in South Jersey or anywhere in America, Congressman Van Drew has always maintained that they should generate their own power and not drain local resources or be a burden to the neighboring community financially, environmentally, or otherwise. One of the Congressman’s biggest concerns was energy usage, but local officials have assured him that the data center plans to generate its own power in Vineland which means there will be no impact to ratepayers in Cumberland County.
The people of Vineland have known Congressman Van Drew for decades and see him around town all the time,” added Filan “It’s a wonderful close knit community whose people know he will always do right by Vineland, Cumberland County, and South Jersey.”
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