Former EPA officials warn that President Trump is weakening environmental rules to speed up AI data centers. They say this raises health risks for Americans. This week they released a report listing 30 federal actions since January 2025 that they say add to the danger. They are urging the president to adopt a "Data Center Health Protection Pledge."
π The Backstory
Trump's EPA chief, Lee Zeldin, promised to make America "the AI capital of the world" by cutting rules. Since then, many rules have been rolled back along with cuts to staff and funding. The report says new data centers often run on dirty energy, and demand for AI chips is bringing back harmful "forever chemicals." A study warns AI-linked air pollution could cause up to 1,300 early deaths and over $20 billion in health costs by 2028.
π― Why It Matters
Data centers use huge amounts of power, and their pollution can reach people far away. This affects everyone's air, water, and health, not just people living nearby.
Former EPA officials warn that President Trump is weakening environmental rules to speed up AI data centers. They say this raises health risks for Americans. This week they released a report listing 30 federal actions since January 2025 that they say add to the danger. They are urging the president to adopt a "Data Center Health Protection Pledge."
Trump's EPA chief, Lee Zeldin, promised to make America "the AI capital of the world" by cutting rules. Since then, many rules have been rolled back along with cuts to staff and funding. The report says new data centers often run on dirty energy, and demand for AI chips is bringing back harmful "forever chemicals." A study warns AI-linked air pollution could cause up to 1,300 early deaths and over $20 billion in health costs by 2028.
Data centers use huge amounts of power, and their pollution can reach people far away. This affects everyone's air, water, and health, not just people living nearby.