Microsoft data centre hit with $2.5m emissions penalty
A data centre in Virginia has received a $2.5 million penalty for going above emissions limits. The fine was handed out by a Virginia state agency.
The hefty fine relates to excess emission that occurred last year, and the fine has been doled out to a Microsoft data centre. According to the Department of Environmental Quality, the emission limits were caused after the facility ran over 60 emergency engines to compensate for an electrical substation that had stopped working.
A number of pollutants were part of the fuel emissions that exceeded the limit, including CO, VOC, PM10 and PM2.5. The fine has been described as the biggest civil penalty that a data centre has had to pay thus far.
Moving forward, Microsoft will be investing a significant amount into a project to monitor the quality of the air where there is a high level of data centres. It’s a fresh reminder of the importance of businesses to monitor their emissions, and to have systems and processes in place to help them do so.
As part of our solutions, we have an array of modules that can help you engage with environmental compliance. Our Eco-Compliance modules include Emissions Calculator, Waste Tracking, Waste Permits, and Corporate Social Responsibility – just a few of the options that can help you maintain better control over the environmental aspects of your business.
Why not book a demo today to understand more about how FlexManager can help you shape your focus towards eco-compliance? That way, you’ll be better positioned to act when it matters.
Original Article: Virginia fines a Microsoft data center for emissions violations
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