EPA proposals to speed up data center projects 'anti-democratic,' according to Utah environmental group
Utah environmental groups are criticizing new EPA proposals that would reduce public input and allow construction on data center and power plant projects before air quality permits are issued. They view these proposals as anti-democratic and a threat to public participation. While Utah's Division of Air Quality states it will maintain public comment, concerns remain about future policy changes.
Environmental groups in Utah are raising alarms over recent proposals from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they fear could accelerate data center development while diminishing public oversight. The EPA announced plans to remove the federal requirement for public comment in air-quality permitting, leaving the decision to individual states. Another proposal would permit construction unrelated to pollution to commence on data center and power plant projects prior to the issuance of air quality permits.
Bryce Bird, director of Utah's Division of Air Quality (DAQ), stated that Utah intends to uphold its public comment requirements, irrespective of the EPA's final decision, emphasizing the value of public process. However, Dr. Brian Moench, founder of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, expressed significant concern that the EPA's move could still open the door for future state administrations to eliminate public input, calling the proposals "anti-democratic." Moench also strongly opposed the idea of allowing construction before permits, noting the difficulty of halting projects already underway. The public comment periods for both EPA proposals concluded last month, with the agency currently reviewing feedback.