East Coast Datacenter Accused of Operating Dozens of Unpermitted Generators

DataOne, one of the largest planned AI datacenters on the East Coast, has been accused of violating federal law by operating dozens of unpermitted gas-powered generators. A visual investigation by non-profit newsroom Floodlight found that at least 45 out of the site's 62 generators were running at the time of the inspection.

The DataOne facility in Vineland, New Jersey has been a source of controversy since breaking ground in 2025 due to persistent noise complaints and unpermitted construction. The datacenter is part of a $17 billion deal between Microsoft and Nebius, a Dutch AI infrastructure giant.

According to Bruce Buckheit, a former EPA air enforcement chief, DataOne's activities 'violate federal law' and the company should immediately stop operating the generators and pay a fine for their illegal emissions. The New Jersey department of environmental protection (NJDEP) has confirmed that no permits have been issued for the power generators at the facility.