Key facts
- DataOne, a Microsoft-linked datacenter in Vineland, New Jersey, was fined $1 million for operating unpermitted generators.
- The generators emitted an estimated 140 tons of NOx, a smog-producing gas linked to respiratory and heart problems.
- At full capacity, the generators could emit over 1,500 tons of NOx per year, exceeding regulatory thresholds for major sources.
- The generators arrived in July 2025, with all 62 operating by June 2026, running for over 46,000 hours before being detected by inspectors.
- Residents have reported significant noise pollution from the generators since March.
- DataOne plans to transition to low-emission fuel cells as its permanent power solution.
DataOne, a datacenter in Vineland, New Jersey, with ties to Microsoft, has been fined $1 million by state regulators for operating 62 gas-fired generators without the necessary permits for nearly a year. Public records obtained by Floodlight indicate that these generators released substantial amounts of harmful air pollution, primarily nitrogen oxides (NOx), into the surrounding community.
An analysis by Rutgers professor Xiaomeng Jin suggests the generators emitted approximately 140 tons of NOx. At full operational capacity, the fleet could potentially release over 1,500 tons of NOx annually, a figure that significantly exceeds New Jersey's threshold of 25 tons per year for a "major source" of pollution. Such a designation typically requires extensive environmental reviews and pollution controls before operation can begin.
Residents living near the facility have reported significant noise disturbances, with one resident, Tiffany Leone-Vespa, describing the sound as constant. Concerns have been raised about potential long-term health impacts from exposure to the emitted pollutants, which are linked to respiratory issues like asthma and cardiovascular problems.
Despite the extensive operation, the generators were not detected by state inspectors until July 29, 2026, though local officials had noted their presence earlier. DataOne's own letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) indicated the generators began arriving in July 2025 and were all operational by June 2026, having run for over 46,000 hours collectively before being identified.
DataOne has stated it is transitioning to low-emission fuel cells and plans to apply for the required permits, though it previously argued they were not necessary. Microsoft has stated it expects its partners to adhere to all legal and regulatory requirements. The NJDEP has allowed DataOne 45 days to secure permits or halt operations, during which time the generators can continue to run.