GoKawiilNew Jersey fines DataOne $1.1M for unpermitted gas generators at data center
New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection fined data center operator DataOne $1.1 million for running 45 of 62 gas generators without required air permits, violating the state's Air Pollution Control Act. The generators operated at 1,982 kilowatts, far above the 37-kilowatt threshold requiring permits, and the violation surfaced after The Guardian and Floodlight News published thermal drone footage in August. DataOne has 45 days to apply for permits or stop operations, but can keep running the generators during that review period.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak called this the largest such enforcement action against a data center in New Jersey, suggesting regulators are trying to signal that rapid data center expansion won't bypass environmental rules. However, local advocate Nichole Gardner argues the penalty and process are too lenient since polluting equipment can keep running during the permit review, indicating a gap between enforcement rhetoric and immediate public health protection.
- DataOne was fined $1.1 million for operating 45 unpermitted gas generators exceeding legal capacity limits.
- The violation was exposed by journalists using thermal drone imagery before state regulators acted.
- DataOne can continue running the generators for up to 45 days while applying for permits, drawing criticism from local environmental groups.
Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-09-24
Published there as: “New Jersey fines data center $1.1M after drone pics expose 62 gas generators”
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