● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 negative
New Jersey Fines DataOne $1.1M for Operating Unpermitted Gas Generators at Data Center
Key points
- New Jersey fined DataOne $1.1 million for unpermitted gas generators.
- Thermal drone footage revealed 45 of 62 generators were operating.
- Generators exceeded state capacity limits by over 50 times.
- DataOne has 45 days to apply for permits or cease operations.
- New Jersey fined DataOne $1.07 million.
- DataOne data center is in Vineland, New Jersey.
- DataOne supplies compute for a Microsoft-linked AI deal.
- State inspectors spotted 62 units in late July.
- Residents complained about generators at a February town hall meeting.
- Inspectors found no generators on site in December last year.
- Residents complained about unpermitted construction of a 1.5-million-gallon LNG tank.
- Residents complained about noise levels affecting homes within a half-mile radius.
- Residents learned about the data center after Microsoft announced a $33 billion deal with Nebius.
Unpermitted Operations Discovered
New Jersey has issued a $1.1 million fine to DataOne, the operator of a large planned data center, for violating the state's Air Pollution Control Act. The violation involved the installation and operation of 62 gas generators without the necessary permits. An investigation by The Guardian and Floodlight News, utilizing thermal drone footage, revealed that 45 of these generators were actively running.
Exceeding State Limits
None of the generators had permits required for units with a capacity of 37 kilowatts or higher. Despite this, the generators were operating at 1,982-kilowatt capacities, which is more than 50 times the state limit. These gas generators emit pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, which are known to contribute to health issues like asthma and heart attacks.
Enforcement and Industry Impact
New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Ed Potosnak described the enforcement action as the largest ever against a data center in the state, emphasizing that data centers will not operate with impunity. This fine signals increased regulatory attention on the environmental compliance of data center infrastructure, particularly regarding power generation.
Company Response and Ongoing Concerns
DataOne has been given 45 days to apply for the required permits or cease operations, though they can continue running the generators during this period. A DataOne spokesperson stated the company would apply for permits but disagreed with the fine, noting a planned transition to low-emission fuel cells. Local environmental groups, however, view the fine and enforcement as insufficient, advocating for immediate cessation of operations until permits are secured.
Updates
- New Jersey fined DataOne $1.07 million.
- DataOne data center is in Vineland, New Jersey.
- DataOne supplies compute for a Microsoft-linked AI deal.
- State inspectors spotted 62 units in late July.
- Residents complained about generators at a February town hall meeting.
- Inspectors found no generators on site in December last year.
- Residents complained about unpermitted construction of a 1.5-million-gallon LNG tank.
- Residents complained about noise levels affecting homes within a half-mile radius.
- Residents learned about the data center after Microsoft announced a $33 billion deal with Nebius.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
New Jersey fined DataOne $1.07 million for operating 62 unpermitted portable generators at its Vineland data center, which supplies compute for a Microsoft-linked AI deal. The state issued a 45-day deadline to obtain permits or cease generator use, following resident complaints about noise and lack of consultation.
New Jersey has fined DataOne $1.1 million for secretly installing and operating 62 gas generators at a data center without required permits, following an investigation that used thermal drone footage. This action marks the largest fine against a data center in New Jersey and highlights regulatory scrutiny on the environmental impact of data center operations.