"Under the proposal, states would no longer need to provide public notice or solicit comments on air pollution permits for data centers and other projects."
"The Trump administration is moving to make it harder for communities to weigh in on proposed data centers, even as a backlash against the behemoth projects grows across the country.
The Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate a federal requirement that states publicize and solicit public input on applications for air pollution permits for a range of industrial facilities, including new data centers and the power plants needed to run them.
The move coports for the uld prevent residents from raising concerns about — or even learning about — data centers before permits are approved and construction starts.
Nearly 200 advocacy groups and more than a dozen states have voiced opposition to the change, making it the latest flashpoint in the national debate over the data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom."
Maxine Joselow reports for the New York Times Aug. 25, 2026.
SEE ALSO:
"Trump EPA Urged to Withdraw Rule to Let Data Centers Obtain Pollution Permits in Secret" (Common Dreams)
https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-epa-data-centers
"Trump’s EPA Moves to Give Data Centers a Pass" (The New Republic)
https://newrepublic.com/post/214700/trump-epa-protect-datacenters
