New Jersey Fines Data Center $1 Million Over Generators It Says Were Not Permitted

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it is ordering a $1.07 million fine against the DataOne data center in Vineland for allegedly installing and operating 62 large natural-gas power generators without the requisite state permits.

The DEP said its order stems from a July 29 site inspection of the Cumberland County facility during which its inspectors observed power generators that were not seen during DEP’s last previous site inspection in December 2025. DEP claims the data center has violated the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act.

“This enforcement action – by far the largest ever taken against a data center in New Jersey and possibly one of the largest such actions in the nation – sends a clear message that these facilities will not be constructed or operated with impunity in this state,” said DEP Commissioner Ed Potosnak.

DataOne disagrees with the ruling. In a statement provided to NBC Philadelphia, a company spokesperson defended its operations, maintaining that it has the necessary approvals in place for its “transitioning to low-emission, quiet fuel cells as part of the site’s permanent power solution.” The company has not said if it will appeal the fine.

The DEP cites DataOne with violating the Air Pollution Control Act by installing and operating the 1,982-kilowatt stationary generators (known as engines) without first obtaining a pre-construction permit and valid operating certificate. The DEP has ordered DataOne to immediately apply for the required permits or cease operations of the 62 engines.

The action follows the signing of legislation in July that requires data centers to bring their own clean energy and establishes a separate rate class for these developments to shield other ratepayers from shouldering the costs of data center energy demand.