New Jersey Data Center Fined More Than $1M Over Air Pollution Violation
A state inspection found 62 natural-gas generators operating without required environmental permits.
A New Jersey data center, DataOne, faced a substantial $1.07 million fine for violating air pollution regulations due to the operation of 62 large natural-gas generators without the necessary permits. The violation was uncovered during an inspection conducted on July 29, following a previous inspection in December that did not detect the generators.
Each generator had a capacity of 1,982 kilowatts, which exceeded the state's 37-kilowatt permitting threshold. The generators released pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) emphasized that this enforcement action marked the largest ever taken against a data center in New Jersey, if not one of the largest in the nation.
DataOne's spokesperson stated that they planned to transition to low-emission fuel cells as the site's primary power source but would apply for the required permits for the temporary generators. Meanwhile, New Jersey's Governor Mikie Sherrill announced new requirements for data centers, including the need to report energy and water usage and bring their own clean energy online.
Sherrill stated that the administration aimed to hold data centers accountable to ensure the industry benefits the state.
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