Full Breakdown
Secaucus Data Center Diesel Spill Prompts Environmental Outcry
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Diesel Leak at Equinix Facility
On the evening of September 11, a storage tank at the Equinix NY2 data center in Secaucus released diesel fuel into Anderson Creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River. The leak was reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on September 12. By September 14, 2026, crews were still removing fuel from the creek and surrounding wetlands.
Background & Context
New Jersey has become a hub for large-scale data centers, many located in Secaucus. Local municipalities have increasingly restricted new facilities; close to 100 towns enacted bans in 2024-2025. A prior incident at a DataOne center in Vineland highlighted concerns about the environmental footprint of data-center operations.
Data & Statistics
- Reported volumes range from 5,000 gallons (DEP estimate) to 5,500 gallons of No. 2 diesel.
- 3,500 gallons had been recovered by the time of the NBC report.
- Cleanup crews expected to remain on site for “several days,” with one source noting the effort was “roughly three-quarters complete.”
Official Statements & Responses
Equinix said its staff detected the release, stopped the flow, and engaged environmental contractor Clean Harbors. The company pledged a full investigation and emphasized a commitment to “transparent, responsible remediation.”
Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli described the incident as “extremely upsetting” and attributed it to a “computer glitch.”
Criticism & Opposition
Environmental advocates, led by Ben Dziobek of the Climate Revolution Action Network (CRAN), called the spill evidence that the current town-by-town approach to data-center regulation is insufficient.
Impact & Environmental Concerns
Diesel contains toxic petroleum compounds that can affect fish, shellfish, insects, worms, and marsh vegetation, particularly native cordgrass that stabilizes sediment. While no immediate fish kill has been reported, experts warn that eggs, larvae, and small organisms are especially vulnerable. Ongoing monitoring will be required to assess any damage to the Anderson Creek Marsh and the broader Hackensack River ecosystem.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact volume of diesel released and recovered: the DEP cites 5,000 gallons, InsiderNJ reports 5,500 gallons, and NBC notes 3,500 gallons recovered so far. The proportion of fuel that entered Anderson Creek versus that contained on site remains unclear. No definitive assessment of wildlife impact has been released, leaving a gap in environmental outcome data.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Ben Dziobek, CRAN
- “We need a statewide ban right now before they do any more damage to our communities.” — Ben Dziobek, CRAN
- “This should never have happened, and any such incident is extremely upsetting, to say the least,” — Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli
- “No impacts have been reported to wildlife, and this spill was contained before it could impact the river,” — Larry Hajna, to DEP spokesperson