The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has fined DataOne, a data center operator in Vineland, $1 million. The penalty follows the discovery of 62 gas-powered generators operating at the site without state authorization.
According to reports, the facility is being developed with financial backing from Microsoft. The NJDEP characterized this enforcement action as the largest of its kind against a data center in New Jersey and one of the most significant across the United States.
Construction of the DataOne facility began in early 2025. Upon completion, the site is expected to consume approximately 350 MW of power, with total project costs estimated at $17 billion. Local authorities in Vineland have granted the project a five-year tax incentive.
The use of gas generators has emerged as a strategy to address the high energy demands of AI infrastructure where grid capacity is insufficient. However, the lack of required permits led to environmental violations. Local residents have previously requested increased oversight of the project.
