🚨DataOne Fined $1.1M for Secretly Operating Polluting Generators

DataOne's Secret Pollution: A $1.1M Fine

DataOne, the operator of a massive 2.6 million square foot data center in Vineland, New Jersey, has been slapped with a $1.1 million fine for secretly installing and operating gas generators without proper permits. The generators emitted harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide, potentially worsening asthma and triggering heart attacks. The fine, while significant, is seen as a minor penalty for DataOne, which has several billion dollars in capital. The company is given 45 days to apply for permits or cease operations but can continue running the generators while seeking approval. Residents are concerned about the environmental impact and the company's secrecy, especially since the data center powers Microsoft's AI tools like Copilot. The state's solution doesn't immediately address residents' concerns, and the data center's construction progressed quickly before the public understood its scale.