While New Jersey towns have seen economic gain from a boom in warehouse construction, especially since the beginning of the pandemic, sprawl of the giant facilities is prompting one regional regulator in the state to enact restrictions. State and municipal governments across the nation are also eyeing the environmental impacts of warehouses, even as some are propelling adoption of green energy technology.
Officials in New Jersey’s Highlands region—an area covering more than 1,250 sq miles and including 88 municipalities in seven northwestern counties—last month issued what is said to be the state’s first regional warehouse curbs, banning the facilities in some areas and setting strict rules for their location and design.