First, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) illegally allowed developers to circumvent the legislative (public comment) process to build more than 5400 data centers across the U.S.
And the people protested (after the fact).
Next, 200 ft. high 765 kV transmission lines are proposed to power the Data Centers.
And the people are protesting.
However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule change that would remove the federal requirement for public notice and comment on certain “minor source” air pollution permits, for Data Centers.
Most companies rely on rules, processes, and hierarchical approval systems to maintain order and productivity. But what if eliminating these constraints could actually make your organization faster, more innovative, and more effective? —No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings
No Public Notice. No Public Comment.
The EPA, established to protect the environment and public health, now proposes no public notice and no public comment period.
Public participation has been a requirement under federal law. Until now.
Allowing an agency (EPA) to change the law it was established to protect would give State and local air agencies the ability to reduce the level of public participation regarding minor New Source Review (NSR) air permitting programs under the Clean Air Act.
That means developers would have greater power to obtain permits than they currently wield.
Depending on their emissions (from generators), Data Centers can fall under minor-source permitting programs.
In the past, many projects could be stopped during the permitting process.
Permits ensure that your project complies with local building codes, zoning laws, safety regulations, and environmental standards. —Ceed Civil Engineering
Sending Comments
There is a short comment period for this No Comment Rule Change which ends August 21, 2026.
You can participate by sending comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212, using Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212/document?withinCommentPeriod=true, or
By Email: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212 in the subject line of the message, or
By Fax: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212, or
By Mail: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-1212, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460.
The U.S. EPA proposes to remove the voices of communities from a public process. Your voice.
Is that even legal?
A possible comment….
How did we go from “cows are killing the climate” to “let’s build data centers everywhere?”
Leave A Comment