EPA Prioritizes Chemical Assessments for Data Center Operations
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to accelerate the review process for new chemicals intended for use in data center development and artificial intelligence infrastructure. This move comes in response to a perceived backlog of reviews from the Biden Administration, as stated by the new EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin.
Zeldin, a Republican politician, former New York State Senator and U.S. Representative, and an attorney and Army Reserve officer, was confirmed by the Senate on January 29, 2025. He has introduced a legislative initiative to expedite chemical approvals for data center development, aiming to streamline the permitting process and help projects move forward more quickly.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended in 2016, requires the EPA to review a new chemical or significant new chemical use before it enters the market. However, the review backlog at the EPA has persisted for many years, even before the 2016 amendments. The backlog has continued to exist despite the statutory requirements set forth in the Act, which aimed to prevent new chemicals from entering the market without proper review.
Chemical manufacturers have the option to apply for "priority status" for chemicals that meet certain criteria. The EPA will offer an expeditious review of such chemicals by the end of September. The agency will prioritize reviews of chemicals for data center development, aligning with President Donald Trump's push to fast-track permitting processes for artificial intelligence infrastructure and other new technologies.
The initiative is focused on facilitating the development of data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. By expediting the review process, the EPA hopes to support the growth of these industries while ensuring the safety and environmental protection that the Toxic Substances Control Act mandates.
This move by the EPA is a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issue of the review backlog for new chemicals at the agency. It is expected to have a positive impact on the data center and artificial intelligence sectors, accelerating the development and deployment of these technologies.
