# New Jersey fines data center $1.1M for secret gas generators

> DataOne's Vineland facility was caught operating 62 unpermitted generators powering Microsoft's AI, sparking fury from residents who say the fine is pocket change.
- Title: New Jersey fines data center $1.1M for secret gas generators
- Summary: DataOne's Vineland facility was caught operating 62 unpermitted generators powering Microsoft's AI, sparking fury from residents who say the fine is pocket…
- Keywords: dataone, new jersey, data center, gas generators, air pollution, microsoft, vineland, environmental violation, fine, permit violation, fuel cells, residents opposition
- Source: Ars Technica — https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/new-jersey-fines-data-center-1-1m-after-satellite-pics-expose-62-gas-generators
- Published: 2026-09-24T18:20:58+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: dataone, new jersey, data center, gas generators, air pollution, microsoft, vineland, environmental violation, fine, permit violation, fuel cells, residents opposition
## New Jersey fines DataOne $1.1M
The state ordered DataOne to pay $1.1 million after the company secretly installed and operated 62 gas generators at its Vineland data center without required permits, violating the Air Pollution Control Act.
## Drone footage exposed the violation
An investigation by The Guardian and Floodlight News in August revealed thermal drone footage showing 45 of the 62 generators running. The generators operated at 1,982 kilowatts, more than 50 times higher than the state limit.
## Generators emit dangerous pollutants
The generators emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other combustion pollutants that worsen asthma, trigger heart attacks, and cause early deaths, according to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection.
## Historic enforcement action
New Jersey's DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak called this the largest enforcement action ever taken against a data center in the state, vowing that data centers would not operate with impunity.

> data centers would not be "constructed or operated with impunity in this state."
## Company can keep operating during review
DataOne was given 45 days to apply for permits or cease operations, but can continue running the generators while seeking permits. Environmental groups say this is insufficient and operations should stop immediately.
## DataOne plans fuel cell transition
DataOne said it will apply for air permits and transition to low-emission fuel cells, while disagreeing with the fine. The company previously withdrew a permit application after the state found deficiencies.

> We will apply for the air permits for the temporary generators
## Fine is pocket change for billionaires
Residents argue the $1.1 million fine won't deter similar violations because DataOne has billions in capital. One mother said the fine should have been levied per generator to be meaningful.

> What's $1.07 million? They should have done it for each generator they were running, illegally. They're billionaires. It's like pocket change.
## Farmer's satellite photo sparked discovery
A farmer photographing a neighboring golf course spotted generators on satellite imagery and reported them at a February town hall. State inspectors visited in July and found the tractor-trailer-size generators impossible to miss.
## DataOne powers Microsoft's AI tools
The Vineland facility is powering Microsoft's AI tools like Copilot. Residents worry the company prioritizes the lucrative deal over environmental compliance and community health.
## Residents faced months of noise pollution
Residents complained about noise pollution from the data center for months before the generator violation was discovered. A federal lawsuit was filed over excessive noise and public health violations.
## State prioritizes companies over residents
Environmental groups say state and local officials took six months to enforce pollution controls after concerns were raised. They argue officials consistently prioritize company interests over community well-being.

> the state and local government consistently prioritize the interests of these companies over the well-being of the community
## Advocates call for statewide moratorium
Environmental groups like Sustain SJ are pushing for a statewide moratorium on new data center projects until there is more transparency and resident input. They say DataOne cannot be trusted as a good neighbor.

> We have been fighting this development for nearly a year and we have proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted to be 'good neighbors'
## Key takeaway

A $1.1 million fine for operating unpermitted generators is historic for New Jersey but residents argue it's insufficient punishment for a billionaire-backed company that prioritizes profit over community health.