Microsoft Slapped with $2.5M Fine for VA Data Center Air Pollution

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has ordered Microsoft to pay $2.5 million for air pollution caused by its data center in Leesburg, VA.

The penalty stems from a substation failure in June 2025 that led to the operation of 62 diesel-powered emergency engines for seven days, exceeding permitted emissions for gases and particulate matter.

The DEQ and Microsoft spent eight months discussing how to measure emissions before settling on an estimate.

The fine is $99,000, with the remaining $2.4 million going towards air quality monitoring equipment for the state.