For more than 50 years, the Clean Air Act has required communities to be notified before a new or expanding industrial facility receives a “minor source” air pollution permit. This gives people a chance to see what is being proposed and at least 30 days to share their feedback. Now the EPA wants to eliminate federal public participation requirements and tell the states that they are free to abandon public participation as well.
Many of the largest and most consequential industrial projects today, like data centers, are being permitted as “minor” sources of air pollution. Public agencies are required to receive input from affected communities before authorizing increased air pollution that can adversely affect their health and quality of life.
Submit a comment to the EPA stating your opposition to this public participation rollback.