A fleet of more than 60 unpermitted tractor-trailer-sized generators powers one of the largest planned data centers on the East Coast. (Photo credit: Evan Simon / Floodlight)
This story is from Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action, in partnership with The Guardian.
The largest planned AI data center in New Jersey is being accused of violating federal law after a Floodlight visual investigation found the site running dozens of unpermitted gas-powered generators.
Thermal drone footage we captured last week showed the partly completed DataOne facility in Vineland was operating at least 45 of the site’s 62 generators at the time.
DataOne has stirred controversy since breaking ground in 2025 due to persistent noise complaints, unpermitted construction and a contentious zoning process. It’s located about 40 miles outside Philadelphia and slated to provide AI computing power to Microsoft as part of a $17-billion deal with Nebius, a Dutch AI infrastructure giant.
