The Rush to Power Data Centers Is Weakening the Clean Air Act

The Rapid Buildout of Data Centers Is Weakening the Clean Air Act

New EPA guidance is part of an effort to loosen regulations for data centers and the power plants built to serve them.

Trump’s EPA wants to let data centers hide their air pollution

Just as new data centers face growing backlash from neighboring communities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is about to make it harder for people to weigh in on any pollution those centers create. The EPA plans to toss out a federal rule requiring public notice and an opportunity to comment when certain industrial sites apply for an air permit. Advocates warn that the move would allow data center developers and other industries to …

The rush to power data centers is weakening the Clean Air Act

Across the country, the electricity needs of data centers have been a major driver of the widespread resistance to speedy development. The rapid buildouts of data centers have raised concerns that residential and small business utility customers will end up shouldering the costs, and about the health and climate impacts because much of the new capacity relies on burning fossil fuels. The rush has also given rise to a popular refrain: Make the da…