This bill mandates that owners or operators of data centers in New Jersey submit a construction phase water usage plan to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the relevant municipality when applying for local development approval. The water usage plan must include essential details about the data center, such as its name, address, and operational timeline, as well as projected water usage during construction. Specifically, it should outline the sources of water, estimated total consumption and withdrawal, duration of construction activities, and potential impacts on local water supplies and quality.

Additionally, the bill allows the DEP to provide written comments on the submitted water usage plan within 60 days, highlighting any significant concerns or recommendations. If the data center chooses to incorporate these comments, it must update the plan and share it with both the DEP and the local municipality. Furthermore, the DEP is required to publish the construction phase water usage plan and any comments received on its website within 180 days of submission. This legislation aims to ensure that data centers consider their water usage and its effects on local communities during the construction phase.