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Virginia Fines Microsoft Data Center $2.5 Million Over Emissions Violations
Just the facts
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality levied a $2.5 million civil penalty against a Microsoft data center in Leesburg for air pollutant emissions violations. State regulators reported that the facility exceeded fuel emission thresholds while running 62 emergency engines continuously for seven days during a June 2025 power substation failure. Under the settlement agreement, Microsoft will direct $2.4 million toward expanding air quality monitoring sensors across Loudoun County. Following the enforcement action, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted 7-1 to enact a one-year pause on approving new data center construction applications.
Why this is news
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a nearly $2.5 million civil penalty against a Microsoft data center in Leesburg following air pollutant emissions violations.
Sources
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