Marketplace Tech · Friday, August 28, 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed removing the requirement for public notice and comment on air pollution permits for certain facilities, including data centers. This proposal comes amid significant community backlash against data centers and concerns about noise and pollution. Critics argue that while the EPA claims emission standards won't be weakened, the practical effect could be reduced environmental protection and community input.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed eliminating a requirement that states give public notice and collect public comment on new air pollution permits for some facilities, including data centers.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we've seen huge, huge backlash in all these different local communities and I feel like, you know, the more reporting that comes out around some of these changes that are being made, the more upset certain communities are going to get.”
“But the ultimate impact is going to be weaker protection because at the end of the day, you know, the agencies are going to be given power to to give people leeway to build data centers or not build them.”