The Equinix data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, has caused damage to the Anderson Creek due to a 5000-gallon fuel leak from a storage tank. This incident occurred on Friday evening and led to the contamination of this area of New Jersey's wetlands.
Cause of the Leak and Initial Actions
Michael Gonnelli, the mayor of Secaucus, stated that the leak occurred due to a "computer malfunction." However, Equinix has announced that investigations into the cause of the leak are still ongoing. Following the incident, control barriers and vacuum trucks were dispatched to the site to collect a mixture of diesel and water from the river and prevent the spread of contamination.
Read more: Chicago; A Global Champion of Resilience Against Climate Change
Environmental Reactions
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has stated that the leaked fuel did not reach the Hackensack River. Nevertheless, environmental activists and experts have called this leak a "slap in the face" to nature and question whether this leak could have been completely controlled. Bill Sheehan, the head of Hackensack Riverkeeper, emphasized that tributaries play a vital role in the ecosystem and that all flowing waters from our lands first drain into these streams.
Equinix also announced that the fuel leak from the tank outside the company’s facilities has been identified, and staff immediately took action to stop the leak, calling in environmental contractor Clean Harbors and the fire department. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Hudson Regional Health Commission were also notified.
Mayor Gonnelli noted that the data center has been operating at this location since 2001 and that no similar issues have occurred until now. He added, "There are many complaints about data centers, but for now, they did everything they were supposed to do."
The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that the leaked fuel has been contained. Equinix also stated that a full investigation has begun to determine the cause of the incident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The company stated, "We are working closely with these departments, local officials, and community stakeholders to ensure that the cleanup is conducted thoroughly and transparently, and we are committed to resolving this issue quickly and responsibly."
Read more: Atlantic Hurricane Season: El Nino in Historic Silence · New Battery-Powered TransPennine Trains Will Bring Faster Journeys North
