Microsoft Ordered to Pay Record $2.5M for Leesburg Data Center Pollution Excess

Microsoft's Leesburg data center in Virginia has been ordered to pay $2.5 million for violating its emissions permit last year.

The company exceeded air quality standards after a catastrophic failure at the local electrical substation led it to run emergency engines for seven days in July 2025, emitting more than allowed limits of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, as well as using significantly more diesel fuel than permitted.

Maryland-based Microsoft claimed that the reported emissions were based on a 'worst-case calculation methodology,' which they stated was not accurate. They argued that based on historical data from the electricity provider, such an event would unlikely recur.

The Virginia Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) found that the facility emitted 102 tons of nitrogen oxides and 11.6 tons of volatile organic compounds, far exceeding its permitted limits. The DEQ is requiring Microsoft to pay $99,000 to the Virginia Environmental Emergency Response Fund and $2.4 million toward additional air quality monitoring equipment for DEQ's Supplemental Environmental Project.

Maryland-based Microsoft will be installing an air quality monitor station and air quality sensors as part of its penalties.