After a data center in Vineland received more than a $1 million fine, the head of New Jersey’s DEP said the facility is not out of the woods. For more, click the link in the image above
Environmental advocates want New Jersey’s largest artificial intelligence data center shut down after the state found developers illegally operated dozens of natural gas generators that release harmful air pollution.
Activists say the Vineland facility should be forced to halt operations until it gets the required air permits.
The state Department of Environmental Protection fined DataOne $1.07 million Tuesday for installing and operating 62 generators at its Cumberland County campus in violation of the state’s Air Pollution Control Act.
DataOne, the site’s developer, was ordered to apply for permits or stop using the generators. But the state did not order the facility to shut down.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration said the fine was the largest ever imposed on a data center in New Jersey.
Environmental advocates argue the penalty does not go far enough.
“We are glad that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection issued a record-breaking fine,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group. “However, DataOne must be required to cease operations and can only be allowed to resume if it has its proper and necessary permits.”
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