Vineland Data Center Under Investigation for Unpermitted Generators

VINELAND - A major artificial intelligence data center in Vineland is under investigation for operating dozens of gas-powered generators without the required permits, potentially violating federal environmental law.

The DataOne facility, backed by Microsoft, was caught running 45 generators simultaneously last week when investigators used thermal drone technology to document the operation, according to a joint report published Thursday by Floodlight and The Guardian. The generators sit roughly one mile from two local schools and emit pollutants linked to asthma, heart attacks, and premature death.

Bruce Buckheit, former air enforcement chief at the Environmental Protection Agency, told the investigators that the facility appears to be breaking federal law and should face fines for "illegal emissions." He suggested the AI industry's rush to expand may be driving companies to cut corners on regulatory compliance.

"It seems that this industry, in particular, values speed to market more than almost anything else," Buckheit told Floodlight.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection confirmed the agency is investigating DataOne's generator use but hasn't yet made "a full compliance determination."

For months, our neighbors near the facility have been raising concerns about relentless noise and vibrations emanating from the site. Vineland resident Andrew Groetsch described the sound as unceasing.

"It's just constant," Groetsch told Floodlight. "It never goes away."

Peggy Schumacher, another Vineland resident, told NBC Philadelphia earlier this month that the noise has made her neighborhood "unlivable." Despite living a mile from the facility, she reported that vibrations inside her home have become severe.

Tallis West, also a Vineland resident, told CBS News in May that the noise has robbed neighbors of their ability to enjoy outdoor spaces. The constant din has fundamentally changed daily life for those living near the data center.

Despite these complaints, the Vineland Planning Board approved the second phase of construction at the facility earlier this month. When complete, DataOne is projected to span 2.5 million square feet.

The controversy in Vineland reflects a broader national backlash against AI data center expansion. Residents across the country have raised concerns about both pollution and energy consumption that's driving up utility bills. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez proposed a moratorium on new data center construction earlier this year in response to these concerns.