Microsoft-backed AI data center faces backlash over 62 unpermitted gas turbines and 1.5M-gallon LNG tank — issues with $19.4B facility range from illegal construction to noise pollution
The community surrounding the DataOne data center in Vineland, New Jersey, are complaining about the Microsoft-linked project. The company's deployment of several unpermitted gas turbines is just one of the issues that has been hounding the project, with potential water issues also surfacing in recent weeks.
The DataOne data center in Vineland, New Jersey, has recently come under fire due to its unpermitted construction and environmental impact. According to Stand.earth, the project has been operating without proper permits for 62 gas turbines, emitting air pollution near two local schools. Additionally, an unpermitted 1.5-million-gallon liquefied natural gas storage tank has been constructed at the site, along with noise levels that have been deemed unacceptable by residents within a half-mile radius.
The situation was exacerbated when Microsoft, through its data center partner Nebius, announced a $19.4 billion deal to acquire around 100,000 Nvidia GPUs for the facility. However, community members only learned of the data center's existence after this announcement was made public. This led to several questions being raised about the city government's involvement and the appropriateness of the construction timing.
Concerns over the data center's noise levels have been growing among residents, with some describing a persistent low hum, similar to that of a generator. Investigations revealed that there are 62 gas turbines operating at the site, with at least 45 running at any given time. This is reminiscent of SpaceXAI's operations in Memphis, Tennessee, where 69 unpermitted natural gas turbines are used to power its data centers.
Microsoft has since promised to replace these polluting generators with a 1.2-GW on-site power plant, but the process will take a year.
Moreover, stormwater management at the site is also under scrutiny, as a third-party engineering review revealed that it does not comply with state regulations. If not addressed, this could lead to flooding in both the immediate vicinity and surrounding areas. Additionally, the data center has underestimated the annual groundwater recharge by 20 million gallons, potentially causing lower aquifer levels and reduced water quality for nearby residents.
Stand.earth Senior Campaigner Nathan Taft criticized Microsoft for not addressing these issues, stating that the company should take responsibility for the data center's construction and environmental impact. He likened Microsoft's approach to Elon Musk's xAI, where damage is done first and permission is sought later. Despite Microsoft's "community-friendly" commitments, the data center's actions contradict these promises and raise concerns about its adherence to Vineland's regulations.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Hardware's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
