US datacenter discharged large amounts of pollution for almost a year with no permits
Summary
A data center in New Jersey linked to Microsoft emitted large amounts of harmful air pollution for almost a year without having the required permits. The company was fined $1 million by state regulators, and experts say the pollution levels were very high and could affect local health.Key Facts
- The data center, called DataOne, used 62 gas-powered generators without proper permits.
- These generators released about 140 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), a harmful air pollutant, over roughly one year.
- NOx can cause serious health problems like asthma, heart attacks, and death.
- The generators began arriving in July 2025, with some starting to operate in October 2025.
- New Jersey requires permits for any facility that emits more than 25 tons of NOx per year, but DataOne did not obtain these permits.
- Experts estimate that if fully used, the generators could emit over 1,500 tons of NOx annually, nearly twice the pollution allowed from the state's largest power plant.
- DataOne disagrees with the fine and plans to apply for the necessary permits while working on switching to cleaner fuel cells.
- Microsoft said it expects partners like DataOne to follow legal rules and is supporting the transition to cleaner energy at the site.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
