"State regulator’s record fine for DataOne facility in Vineland follows Floodlight investigation with the Guardian"
"New Jersey regulators issued their largest-ever fine against a datacenter on Tuesday following a recent Floodlight investigation with the Guardian that found DataOne’s facility in Vineland operating at least 45 gas-powered generators without a state permit.
The New Jersey department of environmental protection’s $1.07m fine against DataOne “sends a clear message that these facilities will not be constructed or operated with impunity in this state”, said the department’s commissioner, Ed Potosnak, in a press release.
DataOne, a Microsoft-linked AI datacenter, has stirred controversy since it broke ground in 2025 due to consistent noise complaints, unpermitted construction and a combative zoning process. The site lies roughly 40 miles (64km) outside Philadelphia and is slated to provide AI computing power to Microsoft as part of a $17bn deal with Nebius, a Dutch AI infrastructure giant."
Evan Simon and Brad Racino report for Floodlight September 25, 2026.
