One of the East Coast’s largest data centers has been accused of ‘violating federal law’

A large AI data center under construction in Vineland, New Jersey, is running dozens of gas-powered generators without permits, according to a visual investigation. Drone footage found at least 45 of the site's 62 generators operating, even though New Jersey's environmental agency says it has issued no permits for them and has none under review. A former EPA air enforcement official says this violates federal law and that the company should stop running the generators and pay a fine. The state agency spotted the generators during a July inspection and hasn't yet decided on enforcement.

The facility, called DataOne, sits about a mile from two schools and is meant to power AI computing for Microsoft under a $17-billion deal. The generators emit pollution linked to asthma, heart attacks, and early death. DataOne originally applied to use a different type of gas engine but withdrew that application after the state found problems with it. The company now plans to switch to fuel cells, a cleaner-burning technology, but those aren't running yet, so the site has relied on the unpermitted generators since at least October.

Neighbors have also sued over constant humming noise from the site and say it disrupts sleep and daily life. The city of Vineland has issued stop-work orders, including one for moving the fuel cell equipment onsite without approval. This story is about a specific commercial project, not a home energy program, but it shows the kind of scrutiny and pollution concerns arising as more data centers build their own power plants near residential areas.