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EPA proposal would drop federal public notice for data center permits
The EPA plan would remove a requirement for states to notify the public and solicit comments before issuing air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities.
An Environmental Protection Agency proposal would eliminate a federal requirement that states provide public notice and seek comment before granting air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities, potentially making it harder for communities to influence whether projects move forward.
Insurance Journal reports that states could still choose to offer public comment opportunities, but those steps would no longer be required as a condition for states to grant permits, according to the proposal and critics.
Critics, including a former EPA air quality office deputy director and an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, argue the change could leave residents uninformed and reduce local oversight, especially as tech companies build large facilities to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
The EPA did not specifically identify data centers in the plan, and the proposal would also apply to other “minor sources” such as laundromats, car repair shops, landfills, and steel, a spokesperson said.