Lowell residents file lawsuit over data center air quality permits

Residents in Lowell, Massachusetts, have initiated a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against state environmental regulators, alleging the improper approval of air quality permits for a contentious local data center. The legal action challenges the regulatory process, suggesting that the permits were granted without due diligence or in violation of environmental standards. This development comes as part of a broader "Download" report by CommonWealth Beacon, which also covers other significant state issues, including a ballot question on income tax cuts and the ongoing employee housing crisis on Cape Cod and the Islands. The lawsuit highlights increasing scrutiny over the environmental impact of data centers, particularly concerning air quality and the regulatory bodies responsible for oversight. While the article does not name the specific data center company involved, the focus is on the state environmental regulators and their decision-making process. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future data center developments and environmental permit approvals in Massachusetts.