Residents Fight a South Brunswick Data Center's Diesel Generator Plan, Arguing Pollution Estimates Don't Add Up
Residents and Princeton officials are opposing a draft air permit for a 341,000-square-foot data center planned in South Brunswick, arguing that its diesel generators could expose nearby schools, senior housing and a nature preserve to pollution. They want the site classified as a major emissions source, while the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says the projected health risk is negligible and is reviewing public comments.
Residents and Princeton officials are challenging a draft New Jersey air permit for Sentinel Data Centers’ planned 341,000-square-foot facility at the former Princeton Nurseries site in South Brunswick. The permit would cover 12 emergency diesel generators, but critics allege the project could ultimately include 20 generators and about 400,000 gallons of stored diesel. They cite nearby schools, senior housing and an eagle-nesting nature preserve, as well as stress on the regional power infrastructure during outages and extreme weather.
Princeton Mayor and Council urged the state to classify the facility as a major emissions source rather than a minor source, which would trigger stricter review and reporting requirements. Speakers at a September hearing reportedly opposed the generator plan unanimously. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said its assessment found negligible health risks and proposed safeguards including operating logs, hour meters, fuel-sulfur records and a ban on testing during forecast unhealthy-air days. The agency extended the written-comment deadline to Nov. 9 and will issue a response before making a final decision.