The Environmental Protection Agency wants to speed up data center construction by removing some permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act.
Data centers continue to pop up across Mississippi, with many located in Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg and Starkville. Both Meta and Amazon have announced data center construction or expansion plans in the state.
The proposed federal change applies to permits that are needed before construction can begin on non-emitting components, such as cement pads or other support structures.
John Walke, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said regulators and judges would be less likely to stop construction once millions of dollars have already been spent.
“EPA specifically said it was undertaking this deregulatory action under the Clean Air Act to speed the accelerated construction and operation of data centers across the country,” Walke said.
The Jackson City Council is debating an ordinance that would temporarily pause new data center development for 183 days. EPA officials argue Clean Air Act permits have constrained economic development by slowing down construction projects.
A public comment period runs through the end of June.
The rule change would also apply to every major source of industrial pollution in the U.S., including hazardous waste incinerators, chemical manufacturing plants and oil refineries.
The Trump administration sought similar regulatory changes in its first term but was met with significant public pushback. Walke said the EPA’s attempt to remove regulations again is part of the administration’s sweeping rollback of environmental protections nationwide.
“They have the power of deregulation at EPA and a mindset that technology companies and billionaires matter more than ordinary Americans,” Walke said.
A growing wave of municipalities are rejecting data center construction, largely because of their high energy and water consumption, as well as concerns over the release of toxic pollutants and climate-altering emissions.
Walke said the EPA plans to finalize new rules by the end of the year.
Source: Public News Service
