New Jersey has issued a $1.07 million fine against DataOne in Vineland after state environmental inspectors found dozens of large natural-gas generators operating without required permits.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said inspectors visited the facility on July 29 and found 62 generators, each with a capacity of about 1,982 kilowatts. State permits are required for generators with a capacity of 37 kilowatts or more. According to the DEP, operating the equipment without those permits violated the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act.
The state ordered the company to obtain the necessary permits within 45 days or cease operating the generators. The $1.07 million penalty is the largest enforcement action against a data center in New Jersey history, according to the Governor’s Office.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said the enforcement action reflects her administration’s broader effort to place stronger requirements on rapidly expanding data centers.
“We are putting power in the hands of the people and ensuring this industry works for us, on our terms — not theirs,” Sherrill said.
New Jersey has been introducing new rules for data centers as concerns grow over their electricity demand, water consumption and effects on surrounding communities. Earlier this year, the state adopted measures requiring greater reporting of energy and water use and created a separate rate structure intended to prevent the costs associated with large data centers from being shifted to ordinary electricity customers.
The Vineland project is particularly large. New Jersey Monitor reports that the planned facility will include 14 data halls, cover nearly 588,000 square feet, and have a maximum capacity of approximately 350 megawatts. The project has also faced complaints from nearby residents over noise and other impacts.
The enforcement action comes as New Jersey attempts to balance investment in artificial intelligence and data-center infrastructure with environmental protections and concerns about rising energy demand.
Sources: New Jersey Governor’s Office; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New Jersey Monitor
By NJ RADAR Team