Microsoft-Backed Data Center Faces Backlash Over Unpermitted Construction and Environmental Concerns

The DataOne data center in Vineland, New Jersey has been under fire for several months due to allegations of unpermitted construction and environmental concerns. The facility, backed by Microsoft with a $19.4 billion deal to secure 100,000 Nvidia GB300 GPUs, was reportedly operating 62 unpermitted gas turbines on site, which were affecting air quality in the area near two local schools.

According to Stand.earth, the project also had an unpermitted 1.5-million-gallon liquefied natural gas storage tank and unacceptable noise levels at night, impacting residents within a half-mile radius of the data center.

Matt Williams, chairperson of the Sustain South Jersey group, stated that construction began even before Nebius signed a multi-year agreement to 'deliver dedicated capacity to Microsoft' in October 2025. The town hall meeting was called by the city several months after construction had already started, with DataOne CEO Charles-Antoine Beyney admitting it should have been initiated earlier.

A third-party engineering review revealed that the site's stormwater management system does not comply with state regulations, which could result in on-site and off-site flooding. The experts also noted that the data center has 'underestimated the annual groundwater recharge by at least 20 million gallons per year,' which could affect aquifer levels.