For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club, Sustain South Jersey, and Local Farmers Oppose Massive Vineland Data Center and New Dirty Gas Generation
Vineland, NJ - In June of 2024, Vineland Planning Board approved a proposal for a 2.4 million-square foot, 300 megawatt (MW) AI data center. The site plan includes six 220,000-square-foot buildings to house servers and computing equipment, making it one of the largest data centers in the entire Northeast region, a hyperscaler.
The data center will be powered by their own on-site natural gas power generation inclusive of 36 Bergen Engine units with a combined 403 MW potential (beyond the 300MW capacity), an existing natural gas pipeline, and some power provided by Atlantic City Electric. Additionally, according to a recent site plan update, there will also be a 60 foot tall liquified natural gas (LNG) storage tank.
The site is located off South Lincoln and Sheridan avenues and is surrounded by overburdened residential communities and commercial farmland.
The project is being developed by DataOne for the Nebius Group to support AI infrastructure as part of a $17 billion deal with Microsoft. They have, additionally, been open to expanding the construction of “this campus” with multiple clients and tenants to become a gigawatt-scale data center campus. Notably, DataOne has partnered with Northeast Precast, a non-union local business that pours concrete and builds precast buildings, whose owner John Ruga owned the land after it was sold to him by the county. Northeast Precast is now a minority shareholder with DataOne.
Environmental and Community Concerns
Community opposition has grown over the many environmental, noise, and energy affordability concerns, and is being spearheaded by the grassroots organization, Sustain South Jersey.
Although the developer claims otherwise, the water usage from the data center could deplete the critical Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer in the Pinelands National Reserve, straining water supplies especially during recent drought conditions. This critical aquifer supplies clean drinking water to over one million people and seasonal visitors across South Jersey. The data center is also located on a Wellhead Protection Area, which is the surface and subsurface zone surrounding a public water well or wellfield, designed to protect drinking water from contamination.
The location for this data center is inappropriately sited, as it is just about 200 feet from sensitive wetlands, near Manantico Creek, and surrounded by overburdened residential communities and farmland that is at the economic heartbeat of South Jersey.
The gas engines will generate constant noise and air pollution, negatively impacting public health and contributing to climate change. Construction of this massive project will also harm local wildlife and do irreparable damage to surrounding habitat.
On top of these concerns, there has been a serious lack of public engagement, awareness, and transparency, as there have been no Environmental Impact Studies conducted or official air permits granted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) yet. Vineland Municipal Water Utility conducted an initial study on the project in 2024, which ultimately determined that more information was necessary to fully understand the long term water use impacts. Therefore, they called for a full scale, ten year, engineering study with a full year by year detailed plan of water usage. This study is yet to be conducted and shown to the public.
The developer, DataOne, hosted a last-minute town hall on January 21st, 2026 to address growing concerns from the community. The town hall was not a formal public meeting, but did include a question and answer period. Later that month, the City of Vineland even gave DataOne a tax exemption, excusing them from paying full property taxes for a period of five years.
Construction began in early 2025 despite not having final permits from the NJDEP, and has continued behind concrete walls with a completion goal of November 2026.
“What is unfolding in Vineland is deeply concerning for the future of our state, as we see this massive project move ahead blindly without environmental impact statements, without final permits, and with continuous site plan amendments, all while the surrounding community is left with no clear answers about what this means for their health, water, and livelihoods," said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Sierra Club Director. “In the critical moment that we are in with data centers sucking up our power, straining our grid, and significantly driving up our utility bills, data centers should not be receiving sweetheart tax deals. On the contrary, they should pay for their fair share, comply with regulations, and publicly report their energy and water usage. The Sierra Club will work to hold this developer accountable and demand answers from the Vineland City Council to protect people and the environment.”
“From a natural resource standpoint, this project raises far too many unanswered questions and the stakes could not be higher. It is essential to understand the impacts from a facility of this scale to the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer, a critical source of clean drinking water for millions of people. The site is surrounded by prime farmland, where farmers depend on clean water and air to survive. In the Garden State, farmers are already dwindling and struggling from drought, and now we’re seeing agricultural land targeted for industrial-scale data centers. According to the site plans, this project would also sit next to sensitive wetlands, water bodies, and critical habitat that cannot afford to be compromised,” said Taylor McFarland, New Jersey Sierra Club Conservation Program Manager.
"The operations of this project are highly speculative with very little provided scientific proof. The site plan has changed so much since the beginning of the proposed project that it is practically not even the same center. Now they've introduced hazardous materials that pose a significant threat to the health and safety of residents. Vineland's Environmental Commission brought these concerns to the attention of the decision makers, and they were ignored. We desperately need support to halt any further progress and provide oversight for the community's well-being," said Sustain South Jersey.
''Farming has enough risk, a changing landscape in the area brings more uncertainty to the game. Clear information about water use has not been provided. Will increased aquifer draw down accelerate contaminant concentration in the local water table? Are the wells at risk of running dry? We can't afford more unforeseen expenses,” said a Local Farmer in Vineland. “Agricultural boards have suggested agrotourism as a potential pivot point for farmers. Attracting people with the allure of a rural and agricultural setting are out the window now. The site of a massive gray warehouse, emanating noise and air pollution 24/7, removes any future hope for that. The outlook for us has diminished, and so has the wellbeing of many neighbors here in South Vineland and Millville.''
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey