New Jersey Fines DataOne $1.1 Million for 62 Unpermitted Generators at Planned Data Center
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Sep 24
New Jersey Fines DataOne $1.1 Million for 62 Unpermitted Generators at Planned Data Center
1 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Sep 24
Summary
$1.1 million is the penalty New Jersey imposed on DataOne after finding 62 gas generators at a planned East Coast data center were installed and operated without required air permits.
Thermal drone footage cited from an August investigation showed 45 of the 62 generators running, and officials said each unit had 1,982-kilowatt capacity—more than 50 times the 37-kilowatt permit threshold.
New Jersey called it its largest-ever enforcement action against a data center, but DataOne can keep operating the generators for 45 days while it seeks permits or else must stop operations.
Local environmental advocates said that grace period is too lenient given emissions tied to asthma, heart attacks and early deaths, while DataOne said it will apply for permits but disputes the fine and plans to shift to fuel cells.