From PCMAG · Bee Wertheimer · · 1m 20s
Diesel spill hits a New Jersey data center
A 5,000-gallon fuel leak from an Equinix data center reached a creek tied to the Hackensack River system.
In brief
A 5,000-gallon fuel leak from an Equinix data center reached a creek tied to the Hackensack River system. Even hidden data center support systems, like backup fuel tanks, can create real environmental risk when automation fails. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Fuel reached the creek
Equinix's NY2 data center in Secaucus released about 5,000 gallons of diesel from an outdoor storage tank into Anderson Creek on Sept. 11.
“approximately 5,000 gallons of fuel were released”
Cleanup started fast
Equinix brought in contractors after the spill was detected that evening. Cleanup was expected to continue into the following week.
A glitch blamed
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonelli said a computer glitch caused the leak. He said the site had operated for 25 years without a similar problem.
“never had a problem before this time”
DEP says contained
New Jersey officials said the diesel was stopped before reaching the Hackensack River, with no reported harm to wildlife or drinking water intakes.
River advocates doubt it
Hackensack Riverkeeper Bill Sheehan questioned that account, arguing that tributaries carry runoff through the whole river ecosystem.
“The tributaries are the capillary system of the whole ecosystem”
Data centers face pushback
The spill lands amid wider concern over data centers' noise, pollution, water use, and power demand. New Jersey now requires them to report water and energy use twice a year.
“We don’t have to choose between innovation and accountability”
The short version
Even hidden data center support systems, like backup fuel tanks, can create real environmental risk when automation fails.
