New Jersey AI Data Center's Construction Noise Sparks Community Backlash
A massive artificial intelligence data center under construction in Vineland, New Jersey is generating complaints from nearby residents about a persistent low hum that keeps them awake at night. The facility, built on a former sand mining site, sits roughly a half-mile from residential properties and will eventually rank among the largest data centers in the state.
Scott Montgomery, who lives on three acres of farmland near the site, said the noise has grown worse since construction began. His son initially mistook it for a helicopter.
The 2.6-million-square-foot facility is being developed by Data One and will be operated by Nebius Group, a Netherlands-based company. Nebius recently secured a $17 billion contract with Microsoft to supply AI computing power from the Vineland location.
What's Causing the Noise?
Data One and Nebius say the sound is temporary and tied to ongoing construction, claiming the site complies with local noise ordinances. The Cumberland County Department of Health is investigating the complaints and has measured sound levels at the location.
Data centers typically generate constant noise from massive cooling systems and backup generators. The Vineland facility will eventually operate at about 300 megawatts - energy demand equivalent to a small city.
The company said in a statement: "Based on recent inspections and acoustical monitoring conducted by the Cumberland County Health Department, our site is operating in full compliance with Vineland's noise ordinance limits."
Community Concerns Extend Beyond Noise
Residents say they learned about the project's scale and environmental impact only after construction was underway. The Vineland Planning Board approved the first phase in June 2024 with minimal public input.
The facility will include six 220,000-square-foot buildings for servers and computing equipment, plus office space and supporting infrastructure. Phase two - scheduled for a March 26 planning board meeting - adds a power generation facility, water treatment plant, and liquefied natural gas system.
A petition calling for state intervention has gathered nearly 2,000 signatures. A rally opposing the project is scheduled for Saturday.
Water and Energy Questions
The data center will use approximately 20 million gallons of water annually for cooling. Data One says this is less than some existing industrial users in Vineland but has proposed systems to pull water from the atmosphere and recycle air pollutants.
Data One CEO Charles-Antoine Beyney addressed concerns at a January town hall, arguing that the facility's emissions would be lower than other industrial uses. He said the company will cover most energy costs and that if the facility fails to meet environmental commitments, operations would not continue.
Stephen Elliott, director of watershed programs at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, remains skeptical. "Even if the Data One project becomes everything it is promised to be, it will still degrade the local environment and negatively impact the lives of those living directly adjacent to it," he said.
Jobs and Timeline
The project will create about 500 construction jobs and between 150 and 200 permanent positions once operational. At least three data rooms are already online, according to company officials.
Vineland, located in Cumberland County - the poorest county in New Jersey - spans 69 square miles and has a population of roughly 60,800. The AI data center will be the first facility of this scale in South Jersey.
For residents living closest to the site, concerns about what happens after construction ends remain acute. Montgomery said: "It's not even fully built yet. That's the scary part. If it sounds like this now, what's it going to be like when everything's up and running?"
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