Humans Versus Robots

data centre regulation

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

EPA plans to reduce public oversight of data centre air pollution as facilities face community backlash.

Just as new data centers face growing backlash from neighboring communities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is about to make it harder for people to weigh in on any pollution those centers create. The EPA plans to toss out a federal rule requiring public notice and an opportunity to comment when certain industrial sites apply for an air permit. Advocates warn that the move would allow data center developers and other industries to break ground without giving nearby residents a say, or even a warning that construction is planned. "You can see why that would be so interesting to an administration that wants to rush through the …