EPA Proposes Eliminating Public Comment on Air Pollution Permits for Data Centers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has put forward a proposal that would significantly reduce public participation in the air pollution permitting process. Under the plan, state authorities would no longer be required to notify the public or gather community feedback before issuing air pollution permits. The change would apply to data centers as well as other similar large-scale projects. Critics are likely to raise concerns that the move limits transparency and community oversight over facilities that can have significant environmental impact.