Tell Microsoft: Follow the law and your own policies

Far too often, big companies think that rules and laws don’t apply to them.

That’s the approach that Microsoft seems to be taking in rural New Jersey, where a data center it contracted was caught running tractor-sized gas generators without permits. These generators emit air pollution that can cause asthma, heart attacks, and premature death – and are located roughly a mile from two local schools.

This cannot stand. We’re partnering with local community members in Vineland, NJ, to sound the alarm and make sure Microsoft and its contractors can’t sweep this under the rug.

Local demands are simple: cease all operations until Microsoft can demonstrate to the community how they will act in the best interest of Vineland residents.

Send a message to Microsoft, the contractors they hired, and New Jersey politicians to let them know the world is watching what they do next.

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CEO

Arkady

Volozh

Nebius Group

General Counsel

Boaz

Tal

Nebius Group

Founder and Chairman

Charles-Antoine

Beyney

BSO

Senator

Cory

Booker

Senate

Employee

Microsoft

Representative

Microsoft

Dear Microsoft President Brad Smith, DataOne CEO Charles-Antoine Beyney, Nebius Group CEO Arkady Volozh, Nebius General Counsel Boaz Tal, and Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim:

Microsoft claims it wants to be a “good neighbor” and build “Community First AI Infrastructure" – does that standard not apply to the contractors hired to build data centers?

In Vineland NJ, the Data One data center from Nebius, which Microsoft backed, has been running gas generators without air permits, potentially for months. This data center is just a mile away from two schools. Potentially violating federal and state law by flooding communities with air pollution is not the behaviour of a “good neighbor.”

That's just the latest example of harmful conduct. The community experience with Nebius and DataOne has been described as, and continues to be, a nightmare. Why hasn’t Microsoft or our elected officials stepped in to hold them to account? Is this what all communities with proposed data centers should expect?

The community was never given a proper chance to decide if they even wanted this 2.4 million square foot data center in the first place. Most were not even aware of the data center until construction had begun and operations were already partially underway.

The disrespect these companies have for Vineland residents couldn’t be clearer. The contractors were caught breaking the law by starting the fabrication and installation of a 1.5 million gallon on-site storage tank for liquefied natural gas before local government even had a chance to vote. Work only ceased after local officials issued multiple stop-work orders.

Noise from the facility has gotten so bad that neighbors are filing a lawsuit about the issue. Nebius, DataOne, and Microsoft leaders have a duty to communicate these impacts ahead of time and provide solutions.

Considering the actions of these contractors thus far – including proposing experimental technologies and violations of federal, state, and local laws – there is no reason to trust that Nebius and DataOne will protect the water resources.

These are not the actions of a “good neighbor.” These are the actions of a wannabe bully with something to hide.

Enough is enough. Microsoft and its contractors must stop all operations until they’ve met with the community and addressed all of the outstanding issues. That includes securing a robust community benefits ordinance, binding environmental protections, and a guarantee Microsoft will provide direct oversight of this project with the well-being of local residents in mind.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}, {user_data~Zip or Postal Code}

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