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DataOne Vineland fine: Sierra Club demands shutdown
NJ.com • • business
Key Points:
- New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection fined DataOne $1.07 million for illegally operating 62 natural gas generators at its Vineland AI data center without required air permits, marking the largest fine ever imposed on a data center in the state.
- Environmental advocates demand the facility be shut down until it obtains proper permits, arguing the fine alone is insufficient to address the harmful air pollution risks to nearby residents.
- DataOne disputes the fine but plans to apply for the permits and transition from temporary generators to fuel cells as part of a permanent power system.
- The controversy has raised calls for stricter regulations on data centers, including bans on natural gas generators, increased inspections, and a statewide moratorium on new facilities to better protect public health and the environment.
- The Vineland data center, operated by Nebius under a $17.4 billion deal to supply AI computing power to Microsoft, has also faced noise complaints and lawsuits from neighbors, highlighting broader community concerns.
