The Environmental Protection Agency held a public hearing on Wednesday to discuss a proposed rule that would give states more control over public input in permitting processes for minor sources of air pollution, including facilities that power data centers.
The Trump administration is considering changes that could reduce public notice and participation requirements for certain new pollution sources under the Clean Air Act. These sources include gas plants and diesel generators used by companies such as xAI and Meta to power data centers.
The rule would allow states to decide the extent of public involvement in minor source permitting. An EPA spokesperson said the change would not affect emissions standards but would place decisions with state and local agencies familiar with local conditions.
Environmental advocates expressed concern at the hearing. Vanessa Lynch of Moms Clean Air Force said people want to have a say in projects affecting their communities. Keri Powell of the Southern Environmental Law Center noted that some states like Georgia currently provide robust notification, while others offer less.
Spending on data center construction surpassed public transportation infrastructure spending for the first time in June, amid broader federal efforts to support AI development.
