Data Center Spilled 5,000 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel Into River Tributary
An Equinix data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, experienced a spill of approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River. The spill has been contained, and cleanup efforts by a contractor for Equinix are underway, with no reported impacts to the Hackensack River or wildlife so far. This incident occurs amid ongoing broader opposition and enacted local moratoriums on data center development across New Jersey.
A significant diesel fuel spill occurred at an Equinix data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Friday, September 11. An estimated 5,000 gallons of No. 2 diesel fuel discharged from a storage tank, with an unknown quantity entering Anderson Creek, a small tributary of the Hackensack River.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed the spill has been contained, and no impacts to the Hackensack River or local wildlife have been reported. Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack Riverkeeper, indicated a computer glitch might have caused the incident. Equinix hired Clean Harbors for remediation work and is investigating the root cause, committing to a transparent and responsible resolution.
This incident takes place during a period of heightened scrutiny for data center development in New Jersey. Nearly 100 cities and towns in the state have enacted local bans on new facilities, and activists are pushing Governor Mikie Sherrill for a statewide moratorium on data center construction.