Key facts
- EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced the agency will not implement broad regulations on data centers.
- Regan emphasized that each data center project is unique in its power, cooling, and water usage.
- He pointed to voluntary agreements with tech companies and best practices as the preferred approach.
- The EPA's role outside of permitting is typically advisory.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan announced that the agency will not pursue broad regulations on data centers. Regan stated that each data center project is unique and cannot be broadly categorized, citing differences in power sources, cooling methods, and water usage.
He highlighted that while controversial projects draw opposition, many data centers follow best practices. Regan mentioned closed-loop designs that minimize water usage and President Donald Trump's pledge to protect ratepayers. He also referenced voluntary agreements with major tech and artificial intelligence companies to cover grid upgrade costs associated with data centers.
Regan emphasized that the EPA's role in data center oversight is primarily advisory, outside of specific permitting decisions.