New Jersey datacenter fined $1.1m after visual investigation showed dozens of unpermitted generators

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   New Jersey Fines Data Center Over Unpermitted Generators

   New Jersey regulators issued a record-breaking financial penalty against a Vineland facility after discovering dozens of unpermitted power generators running on site. The state Department of Environmental Protection fined DataOne $1.07 million following a visual investigation that exposed the unapproved equipment. Residents and environmental groups previously pushed back against the data center due to concerns regarding air and noise pollution. The site, linked to Microsoft and Nebius, also constructed an unauthorized massive fuel tank while operating the equipment without proper state permits.

   Why it matters

   The penalty represents the largest fine ever levied against a data center by New Jersey environmental regulators. The facility is tied to significant artificial intelligence infrastructure deals and powers Microsoft Copilot. Local activists continue demanding a complete shutdown of the site until the operators secure all required air permits.

   What is confirmed

   • New Jersey fined DataOne $1.07 million for operating unpermitted natural gas generators at its Vineland data center.
   • A visual investigation involving drone and satellite imagery exposed 62 unpermitted gas generators at the facility.
   • The penalty marks the largest state fine ever issued against a data center.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Environmental groups are demanding that DataOne completely shut down its New Jersey facility until it obtains required air permits.

   What to watch next

   • Compliance decisions regarding the 45-day shutdown deadline issued by regulators
   • Whether DataOne successfully secures the required state air permits for its generators
   • Further regulatory actions concerning the unauthorized 1.5 million-gallon fuel tank
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. nytimes.com — Data Center Is Fined $1.1 Million for Operating 62 Power Generators
   2. arstechnica.com — New Jersey fines data center $1.1M after drone pics expose 62 gas generators
   3. Ars Technica — New Jersey fines data center $1.1M after drone pics expose 62 gas generators
   4. The Guardian — New Jersey datacenter fined $1.1m after visual investigation showed dozens of unpermitted generators
   5. Yahoo — New Jersey hits data center powering Microsoft Copilot with $1m fine after drone expose 62 secretly-installed gas generators
   6. Tom's Hardware — New Jersey hits Microsoft-linked AI data center with record fine for 62 unpermitted power generators, issues 45-day shutdown deadline — site tied to $33 billion deal also built illegal 1.5M-gallon fuel tank
   7. NJ.com — N.J. hit data center with record $1M fine — but angry activists say it’s nowhere near enough
   8. FOX4KC.com — Nebius data center in New Jersey hit with $1M fine for pollution, permit violations
   9. TechRadar — New Jersey hits data center with 'record' $1.1m fine after drone exposes 62 unpermitted gas generators
   10. www.theguardian.com — New Jersey datacenter fined $1.1m after visual investigation ...
   11. www.yahoo.com — New Jersey Just Fined a Data Center $1 Million for an Illegal ...
   12. www.sej.org — New Jersey Datacenter Fined $1.1M For Dozens Of Unpermitted ...
   confidence 100%