‘Left in the dark’: Pushback builds against Vineland data center

Vineland, New Jersey residents are voicing significant opposition to a 2.6 million-square-foot data center developed by DataOne and Microsoft Corp., located approximately 40 miles south of Philadelphia. The project, part of a $17 billion deal, is generating widespread community concern over issues such as a constant humming noise disturbing residents, especially at night. Matt Williams, a Vineland resident and organizer for Sustain SJ, highlighted the primary concerns during an interview with NJ Spotlight News. These include the substantial water and power usage, despite DataOne's claims of an 85% natural gas energy generation and a closed-loop water system. Williams noted skepticism regarding the closed-loop system's water claims, especially given the area's ongoing drought conditions and the risk of contaminated water escaping into wellhead protected areas, potentially impacting local drinking water and the city's farming community. Concerns also extend to the data center's energy demands, which are estimated at 300 megawatts, enough to power 65,000 homes. While DataOne states most electricity will come from on-site liquid natural gas, residents question the remaining energy source and its potential impact on local utility rates, particularly for Vineland's independent utility system. Williams also raised doubts about claims of a "digital citizens cart" providing produce from heat capture for low-income residents, noting a lack of follow-up from the CEO since January. Williams advises other communities to proactively engage with local government to establish clear data center definitions in city codes, as Vineland's lack of such ordinances allowed the project to proceed largely by surprise to the public.