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Vineland Planning Board approves Phase 2 of massive AI data center project

The Vineland Planning Board voted 8-1 to approve Phase 2 of a 2.6-million-square-foot artificial intelligence data center campus in South Jersey. The project, developed by DataOne for the Nebius Group, will support a $17.4 billion computing agreement with Microsoft. The board's decision follows a lengthy public hearing where residents expressed concerns regarding noise, water usage, and the safety of the on-site natural-gas power system. While the project is already under construction, the new approval clarifies that the site will be fueled by Bloom fuel cell equipment with a liquefied natural-gas backup. This setup aims to reduce strain on the electrical grid and prevent local utility costs from rising. However, some residents and board members, including John Cassidia, voiced concerns about potential environmental impacts and the drainage system's ability to handle heavy rain. Despite the opposition from some community members who felt the plans were rushed, the board noted that the project is permitted under local zoning laws and moves the development forward toward full operation later this year.

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