5,000 Gallons of Diesel Spill From NJ Data Center Into Creek

Cleanup crews are working to contain a diesel fuel spill at an Equinix data center in Secaucus, New Jersey, after approximately 5,000 gallons leaked from a storage tank into a local creek. The incident, which occurred on the evening of September 11, 2026, has intensified ongoing debates about the environmental risks associated with the rapid expansion of data centers. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) stated that the spilled diesel was contained in Anderson Creek, a narrow tributary of the Hackensack River, before it reached the river itself. Officials reported no impacts to wildlife or drinking water intakes. However, the containment claim has been disputed by environmental advocates. "The tributaries are the capillary system of the whole ecosystem," said Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack Riverkeeper. "All the water that runs off of our land goes into the creeks first, and then runs through the creeks out into the river." Sheehan, who observed cleanup operations during a boat tour, expressed skepticism that the spill remained fully contained within the creek.