‘It’s all you can hear’: New Jersey lawsuit takes on datacenter’s noise pollution

Live updates

1. 13d ago

   DataOne seeks dismissal of New Jersey noise pollution lawsuit

   DataOne USA LLC has asked Cumberland County Superior Court to dismiss a lawsuit alleging its Vineland data center produces excessive and intrusive noise. The facility, one of the largest AI data centers on the East Coast, also faces accusations of violating federal law by using unpermitted natural gas generators. This legal battle coincides with a broader shift in state policy, as New Jersey is reclaiming 250 million dollars from a 500 million dollar incentive program designed to attract AI companies and large data centers.

   Why it matters

   The dispute highlights growing tensions between AI infrastructure expansion and local community health and quality of life. National polling indicates strong American opposition to new data centers, leading some regions to enact bans.

   What is confirmed

   • DataOne USA LLC is facing a lawsuit in Cumberland County Superior Court regarding intrusive noise from its Vineland operations.
   • New Jersey is eliminating the unused half of a 500 million dollar program meant to attract AI companies and data centers.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The operation of unpermitted gas generators at the site is raising health concerns.

   What to watch next

   • The Cumberland County Superior Court ruling on DataOne's motion to dismiss
   • Evidence of federal law violations regarding gas generators
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.boston25news.com — One of East Coast’s largest data centers accused of ‘violating federal law’
   2. www.vox.com — The data centers are winning
   3. pressofatlanticcity.com — DataOne asks court to toss noise lawsuit over Vineland data center
   4. www.yahoo.com — The growing revolt against AI data centers just escalated as N.J. claws back $250M
   confidence 90%
2. 16d ago

   New Jersey data center faces lawsuit over noise pollution and alleged unpermitted generators

   A Microsoft-backed AI data center in New Jersey is facing a lawsuit over noise pollution and allegations of operating unpermitted natural gas generators. The data center, one of the largest on the east coast, has been accused of violating federal law. Residents claim the noise from the center is disrupting their lives.

   Why it matters

   The data center is a $19.4 billion facility that has been operating in Vineland, New Jersey. The lawsuit comes amid growing concerns over the environmental impact of data centers, which are increasingly being used to support AI and other high-energy applications. The center's operations have been criticized by community and environmental groups.

   What is confirmed

   • The data center is accused of operating natural gas generators without a permit.
   • The data center is one of the largest on the east coast.
   • The facility has a price tag of $19.4 billion.
   • Community and environmental groups are demanding that Microsoft cease operations at the data center.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The data center allegedly has a 1.5M-gallon LNG tank.

   What to watch next

   • The outcome of the lawsuit against the data center's operators
   • A decision on whether Microsoft will be required to cease operations at the facility
   • Further investigation into the data center's environmental impact
   Sources used for this update (12)

   1. The Guardian — ‘It’s all you can hear’: New Jersey lawsuit takes on datacenter’s noise pollution
   2. The Guardian — One of east coast’s largest datacenters accused of ‘violating federal law’
   3. WHYY — Vineland data center accused of operating natural gas generators without permit
   4. Common Dreams — Investigation Exposes Massive New Jersey Data Center Operating Army of Polluting Generators Without Permits
   5. Yahoo — “It’s All You Can Hear”: New Jersey Neighbors Fight Massive Data Center Noise
   6. bgr.com — How Far Away Can You Hear AI Data Centers?
   7. Courier-Post — Vineland residents await data center response in noise lawsuit
   8. Engadget — Microsoft-Backed AI Data Center Has Been Accused Of Violating Federal Law
   9. jezebel.com — Don’t Have Permits to Run Your Data Center Generators? No Problem, Just Run Them Anyway
   10. Stand.earth — Community and environmental groups demand Microsoft cease operations at New Jersey AI data center after investigation alleges use of unpermitted polluting gas generators
   11. Tom's Hardware — Microsoft-backed AI data center faces backlash over alleged unpermitted gas turbines and 1.5M-gallon LNG tank — groups' issues with $19.4B facility range from illegal construction to noise pollution
   12. Northeast Times — Massive AI data center near Philly accused of running unpermitted generators
   confidence 85%