Microsoft Ordered to Pay $2.5M for Exceeding Air Quality Limits at Leesburg Data Center
A recent order by consent issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requires Microsoft to pay $2.5 million for exceeding its air quality permit at a data center in Leesburg.
The facility, which operates under an emergency diesel generator system, experienced a catastrophic substation failure on June 27, 2025, resulting in no grid power for seven days.
According to the order, Microsoft informed the DEQ of the failure and provided data showing that during this event, the facility exceeded its permitted fuel throughput and emissions limitations for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter.
The DEQ issued a notice of violation on August 21, 2025, and Microsoft submitted a response stating that its reported emission estimates were based on a worst-case calculation.