datacenters

New Jersey's state regulator has imposed a $1.1 million fine on DataOne's Vineland datacenter, the largest penalty of its kind, after a visual investigation by Floodlight and the Guardian revealed dozens of unpermitted diesel generators at the site. The case has drawn attention to the environmental footprint and regulatory oversight of rapidly expanding datacenter infrastructure.

Datacenter developers in the United States are facing accusations that they are circumventing key federal pollution regulations. The report has drawn attention to the environmental footprint of the rapidly expanding datacenter industry, which powers cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. Critics say regulatory loopholes are allowing projects to avoid scrutiny over emissions, water use and local pollution impacts, intensifying debate over the sector's growth.