Data Centers Can Hide Air Pollution: Changes EPA Rule

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and cloud computing sector, data centers face the environmental problems that multiply. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to remove the obligation to inform and comment the public about air pollution of these industries.

Basic effects of EPA’s planned regulations change:

• Transparation of the air permit process will end: Specific industrial facilities will get rid of the responsibility of public announcement and withdrawal in air pollution permits applications.
• Data center developers can start their work on the site without any promise of the ruins.
• concerns about human health and environmental quality will increase the risk of being ignored.
• When the expansion plans of technology companies are fastened, society interaction will be minimized.

Environmental defenders warn that this change will allow data centers and other industries to bypass the objections of neighboring communities. Data centers, particularly against intensive energy demand of artificial intelligence applications, cause large air pollution.

Transparency and public engagement have been the basic stones of environmental policies. The removal of this rule can speed up industrial growth, but in the long-term it can jeopardize society trust and environmental responsibility.