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

TL;DR

The EPA is proposing to eliminate federal requirements for public notice and comment on certain industrial air permits.
Advocates argue this change will allow data center developers and other industries to bypass public scrutiny and community input.
The move would affect the New Source Review permitting process, in place since the 1970s, which applies to various facilities.
The EPA states the change aims to streamline permitting by placing the responsibility on states and local agencies.
Environmental groups and the SELC are concerned that states may forgo public notification, leaving residents unaware of new pollution sources.
Concerns are raised that 'minor' pollution sources, as classified by the EPA, can still have significant neighborhood impacts.
An example cited is xAI's data center in Tennessee, which faced public opposition and legal threats over air pollution concerns.
Nearly 200 groups have urged the EPA to withdraw the proposal, emphasizing the value of community input for evaluating facility impacts.
The EPA is currently reviewing over 4,900 public comments on the proposal before finalizing the rule.

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