Trump administration wants to streamline data center permits, stripping citizens of voting rights

The Trump administration is considering a rule change that would make it easier to obtain permits for air-polluting facilities, including gas- and diesel-powered plants for data centers. The Environmental Protection Agency held public hearings on a proposal that would give states the authority to decide how the public participates in the permitting process for certain new pollution sources. This comes amid growing opposition to data center construction in the United States, as local communities use permitting procedures to slow development. Any changes could significantly affect how residents learn about new or expanding polluting facilities in their neighborhoods. Vanessa Lynch of Moms Clean Air Force stated during the hearings that people want to have a voice. Under the Clean Air Act, companies building facilities with emissions must obtain permits: for major sources, this involves both federal and local authorities; for minor sources, oversight is reduced. Minor sources include diesel and gas engines, which are increasingly used to power data centers—for example, xAI and Meta have utilized this streamlined process.