SHIELD HOLMDEL
Protecting Holmdel's Interests and Character
Stop Bell Works Data Center
Our Mission
Our mission is to oppose the proposed 40-megawatt data center at Bell Works, Holmdel, NJ.
The proposed data center could harm Holmdel and Monmouth County as a whole—and potentially reduce our property values.
The concerns are serious:
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24/7 low-frequency noise
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hundreds of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel that will be stored on site
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mobilization of known PFAS contaminants on site
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massive electricity demand that will further drive up electric rates
All of this would be located about 300 feet from a C-1 stream that feeds the Swimming River Reservoir, the source for our drinking water and is just 91 feet from the property line of existing residential homes.
The diesel fuel stored on site and known existing contaminants are just about 300 feet from a C-1 stream that feeds into the Swimming River Reservoir, the source for our clean drinking water.
Sign our Petition
Tell Ralph Zucker to Withdraw His Application
Sign Our Petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-zucker-to-withdraw-data-center-application/
Ralph Zucker, CEO of Somerset and owner of Bell Works, says he values his relationship with Holmdel and wants to protect the community’s interests and character.
Then prove it.
His proposed data center raises serious concerns:
⚡ MASSIVE ELECTRICITY DEMAND
The proposed facility could consume more than twice Holmdel’s total annual electricity use—adding enormous demand to the grid and potentially driving up electric bills. Data centers accounted for 63% of capacity price increases in 2024.
🔊 24/7 NOISE
Data centers operate around the clock. Cooling systems, generators and other equipment can produce persistent noise—with potential impacts on residents and wildlife.
⛽ DIESEL GENERATORS & DRINKING WATER
The project is expected to include six to eight large industrial diesel generators. On-site fuel storage could be equivalent to 30 tanker trucks, just hundreds of feet from a C-1 stream that feeds the Swimming River Reservoir, a source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of Monmouth County residents.
☣️ CONTAMINANTS & PFAS
Construction could disturb known contaminants and potentially mobilize PFAS (“forever chemicals”) toward the same C-1 stream.
🏠 NOT “REMOTE” FROM RESIDENTS
Zucker has described the project as being in a remote part of the Bell Works campus, well removed from the main building.
That’s not the full story.
The proposed data center building would sit just 91 feet from the property line of homes at
The Reserve development off Roberts Road. The data center will devalue Holmdel properties, especially the homes located right at Bell Works.
SIGN OUR PETITION NOW.
If Ralph Zucker truly values his relationship with Holmdel—and is proud to be part of this community—tell him to protect Holmdel residents and withdraw the data center application immediately by signing our petition now:
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-zucker-to-withdraw-data-center-application/
Then share this post. Tell your friends, neighbors and fellow Holmdel residents to sign our petition as well.
Holmdel’s future is worth protecting.
HELP FUND THE LEGAL FIGHT
At its September 15 meeting, the Holmdel Planning Board selected an engineering firm to review the Bell Works data center application. That clears the way for the Planning Board to begin hearing the application once the firm gets up to speed.
Now we need to be ready.
We’re excited to announce that SHIELD is now formally incorporated as a nonprofit corporation: SHIELD HOLMDEL. We have filed to operate as a 501(c)(4) organization with the IRS.
We have no paid employees - all volunteers. All money goes to legal expenses, expert witnesses, and a small amount towards our outreach efforts (e.g., printing flyers, posters, or holding info meetings, etc.)
Our immediate goal is to hire an attorney to represent SHIELD HOLMDEL before the Planning Board.
Why is legal representation so important?
1. We need an attorney to present the public’s case.
An attorney is required for an objector to present expert witnesses before the Planning Board. Without legal representation, residents are largely limited to brief public comments before the Board votes.
Expert testimony could be critical to addressing issues such as noise, environmental impacts, diesel fuel storage, contamination, traffic, property values, and electric-grid impacts.
2. We need to build the record from the start.
If the Planning Board denies the application, we expect the applicant could appeal that decision in court. On appeal, the judge generally reviews the record created during the Planning Board proceedings rather than hearing an entirely new case.
That means we cannot wait until an appeal to make our case. We need to put the strongest evidence and expert testimony into the record now.
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Legal representation will cost money. A $275 donation pays for approximately 30 minutes of attorney time.
Every donation helps us prepare for what could be one of Holmdel’s most consequential land-use decisions.
The proposed data center raises serious concerns, including:
• Noise pollution and 24/7 operations
• Environmental impacts
• On-site storage of diesel fuel equivalent to roughly 30 tanker trucks
• Potential mobilization of known contaminants
• Impacts on neighboring property values
• Massive electricity demand and potential impacts on electric rates
This is our community. This is our opportunity to be heard. And we need to be prepared.
PLEASE DONATE TO THE SHIELD HOLMDEL LEGAL FUND
By check:
Make checks payable to SHIELD HOLMDEL and mail to:
SHIELD HOLMDEL
PO Box 761
Holmdel, NJ 07733
Donate online:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-protect-holmdel
Note: Any “tip” requested by Zeffy is optional. Feel free to leave about 5-6% to support Zeffy’s fee-free platform, if you wish.