Microsoft Slapped with $2.5M Fine for Exceeding Air Pollution Limits at Virginia Data Center

Microsoft's Leesburg data center in Virginia has been ordered to pay $2.5 million after violating air quality standards during a power outage in June 2025. The fine, issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), is the largest civil penalty handed out by the agency.

According to DEQ documents, Microsoft's data center exceeded its fuel throughput and emissions limitations on several pollutants while running backup generators during the outage. The facility's permit limit for nitrogen oxides was 94.67 tons, particulate matter was 3.34 tons, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was 6.86 tons.

DEQ calculated that from October 4, 2024 to October 3, 2025, the facility's emissions were approximately 102 tons of NOx, 5.158 tons of PM, and 11.599 tons of VOCs, respectively. Fuel throughput during this time period was around 1,190,000 gallons, with a permit limit of 665,850 gallons.

Microsoft has invested $31 million to install a system that will prevent future extended outages. The company also plans to support DEQ's expansion of air-quality monitoring in Northern Virginia.