EPA Proposes Removing Public from Data Center Pollution Permit Process

The EPA has proposed eliminating public participation requirements for air pollution permits for data centers and other minor sources, a move that critics say reduces transparency.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Trump administration has proposed a rule change that would remove public participation requirements from the air pollution permitting process for data centers and other minor sources. The proposal, announced on Tuesday, targets permits for “minor sources” of air pollution, which includes the large diesel generators commonly used by data centers in Texas. According to the proposal, there would no longer be any requirement for transparency or public input for these pollution sources. Critics argue that this change could lead to increased emissions without community oversight.