Two companies building a data center and its own power plant in Covington will pay a combined $42,500 after Georgia regulators found they began installing gas-powered generators without required permits. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued orders dated Sept. 30 allowing VoltaGrid and Serverfarm to continue construction, but with tighter emissions limits. VoltaGrid agreed to pay $11,500 and Serverfarm $31,000. The project is in Newton County, about 40 miles east of Atlanta. The companies were assembling dozens of gas engines at the site when state inspectors visited. The EPD issued a stop-work order and notices of violation. The construction had begun before the companies obtained the permits required for the equipment. The Covington project reflects a growing effort by data center operators to secure power on-site, rather than depend entirely on electricity from the grid. Data centers can require substantial amounts of electricity, adding pressure to meet new demand while limiting pollution and protecting nearby communities. The companies can now proceed under separate permits and stricter emissions requirements. The EPD’s action addresses the permitting violations while allowing the project to move forward; the orders do not mean the companies avoided penalties or that their generators are exempt from pollution controls.