The Trump administration is quietly considering changes to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rules, which could allow polluters like data centers to bypass public scrutiny. This move comes amid increasing community resistance against new data center developments.

Companies building facilities that release air pollution must obtain permits under the Clean Air Act: 'major' or 'minor'. Major sources face federal and state oversight; minor ones, not as much. Data centers are increasingly using minor source permitting processes for diesel and gas engines to power their operations.

At a recent EPA hearing, Vanessa Lynch from Moms Clean Air Force highlighted the importance of public participation in these processes: 'People want to have a say.' This could become more difficult if the proposed rule change takes hold.

The scope for minor sources is broad and includes everything from dry cleaners to diesel engines. With operators like xAI and Meta using this route, less oversight means fewer barriers to rapid expansion of data centers—potentially leading to increased air pollution in nearby communities.