SECAUCUS, NJ —
September 15, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
A computer glitch sent thousands of gallons of fuel into a Hackensack River tributary, prompting concerns about environmental oversight.
For years, the Hackensack River has been the focus of a slow, painstaking cleanup. But on September 11, a new spill—this time from a data center—threatened to undo some of that progress.
That evening, a computer error at the Equinix data center in Secaucus released about 5,500 gallons of diesel fuel into Anderson Creek, a small tributary of the Hackensack River. The spill was reported the next day and traced to a storage tank at the facility. Clean Harbors, an environmental cleanup company, was called in to contain the leak. As of September 15, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) said the fuel had been contained in the creek before reaching the main river. About 3,500 gallons have been recovered so far, according to Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli.
No injuries to wildlife or impacts to drinking water have been reported. But the incident has reignited a debate over the growing number of data centers in the region and their environmental risks.
What happened
Equinix, a global data center company, has operated in Secaucus for nearly two decades without a spill of this magnitude. According to company representatives, the release was triggered by a software glitch that they detected Friday night. They stopped the release and immediately contacted state and local officials. The NJDEP confirmed that the spill was contained in Anderson Creek, but Bill Sheehan of Hackensack Riverkeeper told Gothamist he doubts the fuel didn’t reach the Hackensack River. “The tributaries are the capillary system of the whole ecosystem,” he said. “All the water that runs off of our land goes into the creeks first, and then runs through the creeks out into the river.”
Cleanup efforts are expected to continue for several days. The NJDEP has not reported any damage to wildlife or drinking water supplies.
The battle over data centers
This spill comes as more New Jersey municipalities are pushing back against data centers. At least 90 communities have passed some form of restriction, according to environmental advocates. Jersey City recently banned new artificial intelligence data centers in its industrial district and prohibited standalone data centers. Bayonne has a citywide ban. Secaucus, however, has no specific restrictions, and Mayor Gonnelli has been a vocal supporter. In a town newsletter, he called data centers “as important as grocery stores and gas stations” and “the backbone of everything we do digitally.”
Data centers are huge consumers of electricity and water, and they often rely on diesel generators for backup power. That’s what makes spills like this one possible. As the region grapples with how to regulate them, residents are left wondering: how safe are these facilities?
What it means for Hudson County
For people in Hudson County, the spill is a reminder that the Hackensack River—and its tributaries—are still vulnerable. The river has been recovering from centuries of industrial pollution, and groups like Hackensack Riverkeeper have worked for decades to restore it. A spill of this size, even if contained, can set back those efforts. It also raises questions about the oversight of data centers, which are expanding rapidly across the state. If a computer glitch can cause thousands of gallons of diesel to leak into a creek, what other risks might be lurking?
For now, the immediate threat seems to be contained. But the long-term impact on the ecosystem—and on public trust—remains to be seen. Residents who fish or kayak in the river, or who simply enjoy its banks, will want to keep an eye on further updates from the NJDEP.
What people are saying
Mayor Gonnelli has defended data centers, saying they are vital to the town’s economy and digital infrastructure. But environmental advocates like Bill Sheehan argue that the spill is a wake-up call. “The tributaries are the capillary system of the whole ecosystem,” he told Gothamist. “All the water that runs off of our land goes into the creeks first, and then runs through the creeks out into the river.” The NJDEP has said it will continue to monitor the situation and has not yet responded to requests for further comment.
Equinix has not made a public statement beyond confirming the spill and the cleanup. The company says it is cooperating with authorities.
What comes next
The NJDEP will continue to oversee the cleanup, and Equinix is required to report on its progress. Residents can check the NJDEP website for updates. Local officials may also face pressure to reconsider data center regulations in light of the spill. For now, the best thing residents can do is stay informed and support ongoing efforts to protect the river.
In a region where the river is both a resource and a responsibility, this spill is a reminder that vigilance is the price of a clean environment. It’s also a chance to ask hard questions about how we balance technology’s needs with nature’s limits.
Source: Hoboken Girl
