New Jersey Neighbors Sue Over Humming Noise From Data Center

Source Domain: www.govtech.com

(TNS) — Residents living near a massive artificial intelligence data center in Cumberland County say a constant humming noise from the facility is disrupting their lives — and now two neighbors are taking the fight to federal court.

Scott Montgomery and Michael Gentile filed a class-action lawsuit Tuesday in federal court against DataOne USA, the company behind the project. Both men live within a mile of the AI data center under construction off South Lincoln Avenue in Vineland.

The lawsuit alleges the facility has emitted an “annoying” industrial humming noise that can be heard day and night across nearby neighborhoods and farmland.

“It’s a very loud industrial noise,” Gentile said in the complaint. “Sounds like a helicopter hovering, loud fans like you’re at an airport.”

The neighbors claim the noise has interfered with their sleep, caused anxiety and diminished property values in the rural part of the city.

DataOne did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit on Thursday.

Montgomery drew national attention when he posted a video in March from the back porch of his Vineland home. In the clip, a low humming sound could be heard across surrounding farm fields. His property sits about a half-mile from the AI data center site.

The lawsuit argues the noise impacts more than just Montgomery and Gentile. According to the complaint, about 1,013 residential households are located within a mile of the data center.

Data centers have existed for decades to support cloud computing and digital storage. But newer AI-focused facilities require far larger amounts of computing power and cooling infrastructure. Critics say the facilities can strain local power grids, consume large amounts of water and create persistent noise from cooling systems and backup generators operating around the clock.

The Vineland lawsuit claims the data center’s diesel generators…

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