Home / Environment / Ex-EPA Staff Warn: Data Centers Threaten Health
Ex-EPA Staff Warn: Data Centers Threaten Health
10 Sep
Summary
- Data centers could cost $20 billion annually in healthcare by 2028.
- Former EPA employees highlight Trump-era policy rollbacks.
- Pollution from power plants risks asthma and premature deaths.
A group of over 800 former Environmental Protection Agency employees has raised serious concerns regarding the health impacts of data centers. Their report indicates that the air pollution generated by the gas-fired power plants required to run these facilities is expected to add at least $20 billion in annual healthcare costs by 2028. The nonprofit Environmental Protection Network examined pollution from power plants, gas turbines, and diesel generators, noting that Trump administration policies aimed at speeding up approvals and weakening pollution safeguards could worsen these health consequences.
The report, building on academic modeling, suggests that air pollution from data centers could lead to approximately 600,000 asthma symptom cases and 1,300 premature deaths annually by 2028. Crucially, these projections do not factor in the rollback of environmental regulations, which could further escalate emissions and health risks. Former EPA officials express dismay at government agencies weakening safeguards in favor of accelerating data center development.
While data centers face broader backlash over economic and environmental concerns like energy and water use, air pollution is gaining more attention. With over 1,300 data centers currently operating in the U.S. and over 2,000 more planned, public opposition is growing. Former EPA employees argue that the urgency to protect families from pollution and medical costs should mirror concerns about rising electricity bills due to the AI boom.
Under the Trump administration, the EPA facilitated data center operations by easing rules for emergency generators and proposing rule changes that could allow construction before air pollution permits are approved. Measures like exempting certain gas plants from pollution limits and making it harder for communities to participate in public comment periods have also been noted. Furthermore, the EPA's reduced staffing levels raise questions about its capacity to effectively monitor and enforce pollution limits for the expanding data center industry.
