Steve Brown, a 63-year-old Vineland, New Jersey resident, says the constant droning from a nearby data center has disrupted his sleep for years. It woke me up probably around, I don’t know, somewhere around 2 o’clock in the morning,
he said. I couldn’t get back to sleep, because once you hear it, it’s all you can hear.
Residents’ Struggle Against Unrelenting Noise
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims the data center’s “annoying” industrial humming can be heard day and night across nearby neighborhoods and farmland. The facility, operated by Netherlands-based Nebius Group, is part of a computing agreement with Microsoft and is expected to become one of the largest AI data centers on the East Coast.
Residents allege the noise stems from diesel generators and cooling systems, which the lawsuit says create around-the-clock sound that spreads due to inadequate sound barriers. A Cumberland County health inspection in March found noise levels exceeding 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., violating local regulations.
Legal Challenges and Environmental Advocacy
The case is part of a growing wave of lawsuits targeting data centers for noise pollution. Laura Sheets, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said her firm has four cases in court and plans to file more. This is one of several,
she said, citing the broader trend of communities pushing back against the industry’s environmental impact. Noise pollution, she argued, is the forgotten stepchild
of data center concerns, overshadowed by debates over energy use and water consumption.
Environmental advocates have long raised alarms about the health effects of noise. Jamie Banks, president of Quiet Communities Inc, noted that the U.S. surgeon general highlighted the risks as early as 1968, warning that sustained noise can cause cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Despite this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not enforced noise regulations since the 1980s, leaving local governments to address the issue. The lawsuit argues that the EPA’s inaction has left residents without federal protections.
The case also highlights the tension between tech expansion and community rights. A local political challenger even used a truck with digital billboards reading No datacenter here
to campaign against the facility. The company has offered weekly baskets of organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables
to underprivileged residents of Vineland,
but critics say such gestures do not address the core issue of noise pollution.
The Data Center’s Expansion and Community Backlash
The Vineland data center, which spans 2.6 million square feet, is part of a broader trend of AI-focused facilities straining local resources. Critics argue that such projects consume vast amounts of electricity and water while generating persistent noise. The facility is projected to use 300 megawatts of power and 20 million gallons of water annually, raising concerns about sustainability.
Broader Implications for Data Center Regulation
The case could set a precedent for how noise pollution is addressed in data center regulations. Eric Zwerling, director of the Rutgers University Noise Technical Assistance Center, argued that permissible sound levels should be re-evaluated based on modern research. If [datacenters] are designed and properly built, they can be relatively quiet,
he said, but warned that current standards may not account for low-frequency noise, which is particularly disruptive.
As AI infrastructure expands, the conflict between tech developers and local communities is likely to intensify. The Vineland lawsuit underscores the need for clearer federal guidelines on noise pollution, a gap that has persisted since the Reagan-era defunding of noise research. For now, residents like Brown remain determined to fight for their right to quiet. It’s all you can hear,
he said. He’s tired of it.
