Record Fine for Unpermitted Power
The DataOne data center in Vineland, New Jersey, has just been hit with a record $1.07 million fine for operating unpermitted portable generators on the construction site. State inspectors spotted 62 of these units powering the facility back in late July. Residents had already complained about it at a February town hall meeting. Inspectors said that there were no generators on site when they first visited in December last year. However, some residents said that some type of unit was spotted by satellite imagery back in February, leading to their complaint at the community assembly.
Community Concerns and Project Background
Residents of Vineland have already made multiple complaints about the development. Some of the issues include the unpermitted construction of a 1.5-million-gallon LNG tank and unacceptable noise levels, especially at night, that affected homes within a half-mile radius of the construction site. They also said that there was little to no public consultation on the project before it went into full swing, with the people only finding out that a data center was being constructed in their neighborhood after Microsoft announced a deal with Nebius, which in turn contracted DataOne to supply the compute they need.
Resident Reactions to the Penalty
Despite a record fine, some residents feel that the punishment isn’t enough. It’s a don’t ask for permission, just ask for forgiveness later kind of deal, longtime Vineland resident Steve Brown told reporters. He also added that it’s still a drop in the bucket for a company with substantial capital. Long-time community member Tiffany Leone-Vespa also questioned the amount, suggesting that penalties should apply to each generator run illegally.
DataOne Response and Compliance Deadline
On the other hand, DataOne disagreed with the fine. A company spokesperson said that they will apply for the air permits for the temporary generators and added that it’s transitioning from the polluting and noisy portable turbines to more modern fuel cells. New Jersey ordered it to comply with the permitting requirements and to stop using the generators if they’re not granted within 45 days.
Broader Industry Context
This situation mirrors challenges faced by communities elsewhere when large computing and tech facilities deploy unpermitted temporary power sources to meet rapid infrastructure demands, leading to community pushback and regulatory scrutiny over emissions and noise pollution.
