NJ data center leak spills 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into river, officials say
An Equinix data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, experienced a leak of over 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel into Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River. State and local authorities responded, containing the spill and initiating a multi-day cleanup operation. Approximately 3,500 gallons have been recovered, and officials believe a computer glitch caused the leak.
An Equinix data center located in Secaucus, New Jersey, experienced a significant diesel fuel leak, with over 5,000 gallons spilling from a storage tank into Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River. The incident was reported on a Friday, prompting immediate notification of various agencies, including the Secaucus Fire Department, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and federal authorities including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli conveyed his displeasure over the leak but praised the swift response, which he noted included immediate reporting and the deployment of containment and cleanup crews. Officials confirmed that the diesel was successfully contained within Anderson Creek, preventing it from reaching the Hackensack River, and no impacts to wildlife or water intakes have been reported. Mayor Gonnelli indicated that a "computer glitch" was believed to be the cause of the spill.
Cleanup efforts have been ongoing throughout the weekend, with an estimated 3,500 gallons of fuel recovered thus far. The NJDEP anticipates that the comprehensive cleanup process will continue for several additional days. The Hudson Regional Health Commission was also involved in the coordinated response.