City of Vineland, N.J. issues stop-work order to parts of data center
The City of Vineland, New Jersey, issued stop-construction orders to DataOne, developers of a 300-megawatt data center, for allegedly installing a liquified natural gas tank and fuel cell units without city approval. The project involves DataOne developing the facility for Nebius Group, which has a $17 billion deal with Microsoft. Community opposition group Sustain NJ advocated for the stop-work orders, citing a lack of respect for local approval processes.
The City of Vineland, New Jersey, has issued two stop-construction orders against developers of a 300-megawatt data center, alleging that the facility began installing a liquified natural gas (LNG) tank and fuel cell units without proper city approval. The project, currently in its first approved phase of construction, is being developed by DataOne for the Nebius Group, intended to support artificial intelligence infrastructure as part of a $17 billion deal with Microsoft.
DataOne has proposed using Bloom Energy fuel cells, which convert natural gas into electricity, to power the site. Additionally, the company is seeking approval for a 1.5 million-gallon on-site LNG storage tank to serve as a backup in case of natural gas pipeline interruptions. This proposal is pending before the city’s planning board, which will hold a hearing process to decide its approval.
Zac Landicini, founder of the grassroots group Sustain NJ and a resident living near the data center, criticized DataOne and Nebius, stating that their actions demonstrate a disregard for Vineland’s approval process and residents' input. Sustain NJ actively called on city officials to issue the stop-construction orders. A spokesperson for Bloom Energy referred inquiries to DataOne, which could not be reached for comment.