EPA Weighs Air Permit Rule Shift for States, Easing Notice on Data Center Generators
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 24
EPA Weighs Air Permit Rule Shift for States, Easing Notice on Data Center Generators
3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 24
Summary
Wednesday’s EPA hearing centered on a proposal to let states decide how the public participates in permits for certain new air-pollution sources, potentially reducing notice for nearby communities.
The change would matter most for “minor” Clean Air Act permits, which face less oversight than major-source reviews and cover a wide range of facilities, including diesel and gas engines.
Those engines are increasingly used to power data centers, where operators including xAI and Meta have used minor-source permits for behind-the-meter gas plants as local opposition to projects grows.
Community advocates told the hearing the rollback could sharply limit residents’ ability to challenge new or expanded polluting facilities, broadening the fight over data-center growth beyond power demand and land use.