'It's All You Can Hear': Inside New Jersey's Landmark Lawsuit Over Data Center Noise Pollution
The Sound That Won't Stop
It's 2 AM in Vineland, New Jersey. Steve Brown is wide awake.
Not because of a crying baby or a barking dog. Not because of sirens or a late-night party. Steve Brown is awake because of a sound. A sound he describes as "BGRRRRRRRRRRR." It drones. It oscillates. It growls.
And it's coming from a data center more than a mile away.
"It woke me up probably around, I don't know, somewhere around 2 o'clock in the morning," said Brown, who was weary by mid-afternoon when speaking with reporters. "I couldn't get back to sleep, because once you hear it, it's all you can hear."
That's the title of this article, and it's not just a catchy phrase. It's the reality for hundreds of families in this South Jersey community – and increasingly, for people living near data centers across the United States.
Here's the thing: we don't usually think about data centers. They're the invisible infrastructure of our digital lives. We stream movies, send emails, train AI models, and never once consider the physical buildings making it all possible. But for the people living next to them, these facilities are anything but invisible. They're loud. They're constant. And they're changing lives in ways that have nothing to do with faster internet.
This article breaks down the Vineland lawsuit, explains what's actually causing the noise, explores the health impacts, and looks at what this means for communities everywhere facing the same problem.
The Vineland Case: A Community at Its Breaking Point
Meet the Plaintiffs
Scott Montgomery and Michael Gentile are the named plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against DataOne USA, the company behind a massive AI data center in Vineland, Cumberland County.
Montgomery lives about a half-mile from the site. He first noticed the noise when his son kept asking about "helicopter noises" coming from outside. He posted a video from his back porch in March that went viral – the low, steady hum carrying across his three acres of farm fields.
Gentile described the sound in the complaint as "a very loud industrial noise" that "sounds like a helicopter hovering, loud fans like you're at an airport."
They're not alone. According to the lawsuit, approximately 1,013 residential households are located within a mile of the data center. That's over a thousand families dealing with the same relentless hum.
And here's the thing that really gets me: these aren't people who live in the shadow of a factory or next to a highway. This is rural Vineland – farmland, open spaces, the kind of quiet that people move to specifically for the peace and quiet.
The Facility – DataOne by the Numbers
So what exactly are we talking about?
The Vineland data center is massive. 2.4 million square feet – more than twice the size of the nearby Cumberland Mall. It will eventually operate at about 300 megawatts, an energy demand comparable to a small city.
The company behind it is DataOne USA, and the facility will be operated by Nebius Group, a Netherlands-based tech company. Nebius recently announced a $17 billion deal to supply AI computing power to Microsoft.
Here's some context: 300 megawatts is enough to power roughly 225,000 homes. This is not a small operation. This is industrial infrastructure on a scale that most of us can't even visualize.
From Golf Course to Data Center – A Bait-and-Switch?
Here's a detail that sticks with me.
As recently as October 2024, the site was a brand-new nine-hole public golf course. Neighbors had been told the land would remain recreational space.
By March 2025, Amsterdam-based Nebius had contracted with DataOne to build a data center on the same land.
The facility rose behind 14-foot concrete perimeter walls with little public notice. By the time residents realized what was happening, the walls were up, the equipment was running, and the humming had started.
"I live about two miles away... as you can hear it coming through the house," one local shared on social media.
Can you imagine? You buy a home, raise a family, enjoy your porch in the evenings – and suddenly, you can't escape the sound. Even inside your own house.
What Does a Data Center Actually Sound Like?
"Like a Helicopter Hovering"
Data centers aren't silent. They're filled with equipment that generates massive amounts of heat – and that heat has to go somewhere.
The sound residents describe varies, but the themes are consistent:
- A low, steady hum that never stops
- A droning, oscillating growl
- "Like a helicopter hovering"
- "Loud fans like you're at an airport"
- A "very loud industrial noise"
Tallis West, a Vineland resident who isn't part of the lawsuit but lives near the facility, put it simply: "Outside is not even enjoyable to sit outside because of the noise sometimes."
Think about that for a second. Your own backyard – the place where you're supposed to relax, garden, have dinner with family – becomes unusable.
The Diesel Generator Problem
Here's where things get technical – but stick with me.
Data centers need backup power. When the grid goes down, these facilities can't afford to lose electricity even for a moment. That means diesel generators. Lots of them.
The Vineland lawsuit specifically alleges that the data center's diesel generators and cooling equipment created around-the-clock noise that spread into nearby neighborhoods because of inadequate sound barriers.
These generators aren't quiet. They're industrial-scale machines designed to power entire buildings. And when they run – especially during testing or actual outages – they produce a deep, penetrating rumble that travels.
Cooling Systems and the 24/7 Hum
But the generators aren't the only problem.
AI-focused data centers require far larger amounts of computing power than traditional facilities – and that means more heat, which means more cooling. The cooling systems – massive fans, pumps, and HVAC equipment – run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As one analysis put it, data centers emit sounds "from the humming of cooling systems, rumbling of diesel generators, and whirring of fans, which can be heard for hundreds of feet around them."
In Vineland, that sound travels for more than a mile.
The Health Impacts – More Than Just an Annoyance
Sleep Disruption and Insomnia
Let's be real: noise is annoying. But the Vineland lawsuit isn't just about annoyance. It's about health.
The neighbors claim the noise has interfered with their sleep, caused anxiety, and diminished property values.
Sleep disruption is the most immediate and obvious impact. When you can't sleep, everything else falls apart. Your immune system weakens. Your mood suffers. Your ability to focus – at work, with your family, on anything – plummets.
"Some residents living near infrasound frequently report chronic sleep deprivation and insomnia," according to reporting on data center noise impacts.
Anxiety, Stress, and Cardiovascular Effects
The health effects go beyond sleep.
"Such noise levels can cause other adverse health effects," said a lead audiologist interviewed about data center noise. "It does raise your stress level, being exposed to that much noise all the time."
That stress isn't just psychological. Chronic noise exposure has been linked to cardiac problems, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
As one researcher put it: "Chronic exposure to environmental noise has been associated with sleep disturbance, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and even stress-related outcomes."
The impacts are especially concerning for children. Noise pollution has been linked to poor cognition, decreased learning, and lower reading comprehension in kids.
The Infrasound Question – What You Can't Hear but Can Feel
Here's something fascinating – and frankly, a little unsettling.
Some of the noise from data centers operates at frequencies so low that humans can't actually hear them. It's called infrasound. But even though you can't hear it, you can feel it.
"One form of sound pollution is called infrasound, which is inaudible to humans but can be felt," and some claim it causes headaches, insomnia, nausea, and anxiety.
People living near data centers have reported "dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and sleep disruption" from these imperceptible sounds.
Think of it like standing near a massive subwoofer at a concert. You feel the bass in your chest even if you can't make out the individual notes. Now imagine that feeling 24/7. In your home. While you're trying to sleep.
What the Research Says
Academic research is starting to catch up to what residents already know.
A 2025 review in the journal ScienceDirect noted that data centers generate significant noise pollution that "adversely affects data center staff, nearby communities, and local wildlife, prompting increased public concern and a push for noise mitigation strategies."
The same review highlighted air pollution as "the most acute concern" – but noise pollution is often the first impact communities notice.
As one analysis put it: "It can overall contribute to a more stressful environment and can lead to a broader set of health problems."
The Legal Battle – Nuisance, Negligence, and Class Action Status
The Three Causes of Action
The Vineland lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, brings three legal claims:
- Private nuisance – The noise unreasonably interferes with residents' use and enjoyment of their property
- Public nuisance – The noise affects the broader community
- Negligence – The company failed to exercise reasonable care in operating the facility
The plaintiffs are represented by Liddle Sheets PC, a Michigan-based environmental pollution law firm. Laura Sheets, the attorney for the class, said: "We have four cases that are being litigated in court against datacenters for noise, and we're gearing up to file quite a few more."
This isn't a one-off. It's a coordinated legal strategy.
The 50-Decibel Violation
Here's a key detail: the noise isn't just annoying. It's illegal.
After receiving repeated complaints, the Cumberland County Department of Health inspected the site on March 10 and issued a Notice of Violation for noise exceeding 50 decibels between 10 PM and 7 AM – the legal limit under state law.
To put that in perspective: 50 decibels is roughly the sound of a quiet conversation or light rain. It doesn't sound like much. But when that sound is constant – when it never stops, even in the middle of the night – it becomes unbearable.
For comparison, a typical data center can generate between 75 and 85 decibels of noise. That's closer to a vacuum cleaner or heavy traffic.
Why This Lawsuit Matters
The Vineland case is significant for a few reasons:
First, it's seeking class action status. That means it could cover all residential property owners and renters within a mile of the facility – over a thousand households.
Second, it's part of a growing wave of similar litigation. Plaintiffs' firms are "deploying coordinated legal strategies across multiple jurisdictions, following playbooks used in prior mass tort campaigns."
Third, the lawsuit argues that the county's notice of violation proves the company "knew or reasonably should have known about its noise emissions" – a key element in proving negligence.
A National Wave – Not Just New Jersey
Microsoft in Wisconsin
In July 2026, three residents filed a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft over noise from its Fairwater data center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
The lawsuit alleges "unreasonable and excessive noise" from the $7.3 billion AI data center, claiming "persistent low-frequency noise has damaged neighboring properties."
Residents described it as "like a vacuum running nonstop."
xAI and SpaceX in Mississippi
Elon Musk's companies are also facing heat. Residents in Mississippi filed a class-action lawsuit against xAI and SpaceX over "omnipresent and inescapable" noise from a power plant fueling nearby data centers.
The case is one of several targeting Musk's AI infrastructure, with one lawsuit representing an estimated 10,000 people affected by the noise.
Michigan, North Carolina, and Beyond
In Michigan, Billy and Marjorie Finn say a high-pitched noise from a nearby data center has made it "harder to sleep, relax, and enjoy their home."
In North Carolina, residents filed a proposed class action saying a data center's noise has "shattered" their town.
In Massachusetts, communities in Lowell are fighting data center expansions over noise and air pollution concerns.
A Coordinated Legal Strategy
Here's what's important to understand: these lawsuits aren't random. They're part of a deliberate, coordinated strategy by plaintiffs' firms that have significant experience in mass tort and environmental class actions.
As one legal analysis put it, "Data center litigation reflects a deliberate, coordinated strategy by the plaintiffs' bar – one that follows a playbook used in prior mass tort campaigns."
The legal theories are the same across jurisdictions. The complaints use similar language. The firms are the same. This is a movement, not a moment.
New Jersey's Regulatory Landscape – Bans, Moratoriums, and Guardrails
The Town-Level Rebellion
New Jersey communities aren't waiting for state action. Nearly three dozen municipalities have passed bans or restrictions on data centers.
Montgomery, Andover, and Monroe have each been sued in recent weeks by developers seeking to overturn municipal prohibitions.
Some towns, like Vernon, have outright banned data centers, citing concerns about "significant energy and water consumption, potential strain on infrastructure, noise pollution, and limited job creation."
Others, like Nutley, have considered adopting model noise control ordinances specifically motivated by concerns about data center noise.
The developers are pushing back hard. One lawsuit against Montgomery's ban argues the decision was "clearly based upon public hysteria and political attention rather than sound land use planning."
Governor Sherrill's Four-Pillar Plan
In May 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced a four-part plan to regulate data centers:
- Fair-share rules – Ensuring data centers bring new clean energy online and contribute to grid infrastructure
- Transparency – Requiring reporting on energy and water use
- Community benefits agreements – Ensuring data centers address impacts like noise, light, and pollution while making meaningful local investments
- Good-paying jobs – Ensuring centers leverage local trades and pay prevailing wages
Sherrill's plan also includes what she called "community benefit agreements" – deals that "will require data centers to address issues like noise, light and pollution."
Just this week, Sherrill signed legislation requiring data centers to report their water and energy use to state regulators every six months.
What's Actually Being Done?
The policy response is a patchwork. Some towns are banning data centers outright. Others are imposing moratoriums. The state is requiring reporting and pushing for community benefits.
But for residents of Vineland, none of this solves the immediate problem: the humming won't stop.
And here's the uncomfortable truth: data centers aren't going away. The AI revolution is real, and it requires massive computing infrastructure. The question isn't whether we'll have data centers – it's where they'll go and how they'll be built.
What Other Communities Can Learn
If you live near a proposed data center – or you're already dealing with the noise – here's what the Vineland case teaches us.
Document Everything
Scott Montgomery's viral video was powerful because it showed exactly what residents were experiencing. Document the sound. Record it at different times of day. Keep a log of when it's loudest and how it affects your sleep.
If you can, measure the decibel level. There are smartphone apps that can give you a rough estimate. (Though note that low-frequency sound and infrasound may not register on standard meters.)
Organize Early
The Vineland residents were caught off guard. The facility went from golf course to data center with little public notice.
Don't wait until the walls are up. Show up at planning board meetings. Speak at public hearings. Connect with neighbors. The more organized you are, the harder it is for developers to dismiss your concerns.
"Throughout the process of building a data center, these companies have just been so antidemocratic from the start," said Ben Dziobek of the Climate Revolution Action Network.
Know Your Local Ordinances
Every town has noise ordinances. Find yours. Understand what the limits are. If the data center is violating them, document it and report it to the authorities.
In Vineland, the Cumberland County Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation after measuring noise above 50 decibels at night – and that became a key piece of evidence in the lawsuit.
Consider Legal Action
The Vineland lawsuit shows that legal action is possible – and potentially effective. But it's not easy. It requires time, money, and a willingness to be public about your experience.
If you're considering a lawsuit, talk to an attorney who specializes in environmental or nuisance law. Look for firms with experience in mass tort or class action litigation.
The Unseen Cost of the AI Revolution
Here's what I keep coming back to.
We're in the middle of an AI boom. Billions of dollars are being poured into data centers. The technology is advancing at lightning speed. And that's exciting – genuinely.
But there's a cost. And it's not just borne by the companies building these facilities. It's borne by people like Steve Brown, who can't sleep at 2 AM. By Scott Montgomery's son, who thinks helicopters are hovering outside. By the thousand-plus households in Vineland who can't enjoy their own backyards anymore.
"It's all you can hear," Brown said.
That's not just a quote. It's a warning.
The data center industry needs to do better. Better sound barriers. Better site selection. Better community engagement. And regulators need to catch up – setting clear standards, enforcing existing laws, and ensuring that communities aren't sacrificed for the sake of technological progress.
Because here's the thing: the AI revolution isn't going to stop. But neither are the people living next to it.
As one resident put it: "You've got pollution from the diesel generators, you've got the noise... things you can mitigate, and noise is one of the few you really can't."
Unless we choose to.
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