Microsoft Fined $2.5 Million for Air Pollution at Leesburg Data Center
Virginia environmental officials have ordered Microsoft to pay a record $2.5 million civil penalty for air quality violations at its Leesburg data center. The violations occurred in 2025 when the facility ran backup generators during a week-long power grid outage, exceeding permitted emissions limits for nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. The consent order, the largest civil penalty issued by the Virginia DEQ, is subject to a public comment phase.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has ordered tech giant Microsoft to pay a $2.5 million fine for air pollution violations stemming from its data center in Leesburg, Virginia. This penalty marks the largest civil fine ever issued by the agency.
The violations occurred between June 27 and July 1, 2025, when the data center, located at 19515 Compass Creek Parkway, operated backup generators during an extended power grid outage affecting the nearby Cochran Mill Electrical Substation. DEQ found that Microsoft's facility exceeded its permitted limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as its fuel throughput limits.
Microsoft, while stating they worked with the state towards a resolution, disputed DEQ's initial emissions calculations but later acknowledged that newer calculations still showed exceedances. The company also announced an investment of approximately $31 million into a system to prevent future extended outages and committed to supporting DEQ's expansion of air-quality monitoring in Northern Virginia.
The consent order from DEQ is not yet final and will undergo a public comment period until October 14. This incident highlights ongoing environmental concerns related to the proliferation of data centers in Northern Virginia, a major hub for these facilities.