Approximately 5,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled into wetlands feeding the Hackensack River in Secaucus, New Jersey, after escaping from a storage tank at the Equinix NY2 data center on Friday evening. The spill occurred in Anderson Creek, a tributary within the environmentally sensitive Meadowlands.
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli attributed the incident to a "computer glitch," though Equinix stated it was investigating the exact cause. Cleanup crews have deployed containment barriers and vacuum trucks to remove the diesel-water mixture from the creek. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that the fuel was contained before reaching the Hackensack River.
Environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential for wider contamination and described the spill as a "slap in the face" as the Hackensack River area is already slated for a significant federal cleanup. Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper, emphasized the importance of the tributaries, stating, "All the water that runs off of our land goes into the creeks first, and then runs through the creeks out into the river."
Equinix reported that its staff detected the fuel release on September 11 and took immediate steps to stop the leak, subsequently bringing in environmental contractor Clean Harbors. The Secaucus Fire Department, the DEP, and the Hudson Regional Health Commission were also notified. Mayor Gonnelli noted that the data center, operational since 2001, had not experienced a similar incident previously.
Mayor Gonnelli estimated the cleanup was about 75% complete, although an odor of oil persisted at the site. He acknowledged local complaints about data centers but stated that the company "did everything they had to do" in response to the spill.
Sheehan observed cleanup operations on Saturday, including the deployment of containment booms and vacuum trucks. The Hackensack River itself was added to the federal Superfund list in 2022 due to contamination, making the recent fuel spill a point of concern.
The incident has intensified the political debate surrounding the rapid growth of data centers in New Jersey. Nearly 100 municipalities have imposed local restrictions on new facilities, and activists are calling for a statewide moratorium.
Ben Dziobek, executive director of the Climate Revolution Action Network, cited the Secaucus spill as evidence of the inadequacy of local regulation, stating, "This is what happens when the data center industry is allowed to operate without any rules, and new ones are popping up all over New Jersey."
Dziobek argued that data center problems, such as pollution and strain on the electrical grid, transcend municipal boundaries and advocated for a statewide ban.
Equinix has committed to a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fuel release and to implement measures preventing future incidents. The company stated it is collaborating with agencies, local officials, and community stakeholders to ensure effective remediation and is "committed to resolving this quickly, transparently, and responsibly."
Cleanup crews are expected to remain at Anderson Creek for several more days, according to the DEP.