Air Pollution
Data centers are significant producers of carbon emissions, which worsen air quality and threaten the immediate health of communities. As the electricity grid struggles to keep up with the immense demand of AI data centers, companies are increasingly turning to dirty behind-the-meter power sources, further exacerbating public health impacts. The diesel generators frequently used for backup power release additional pollutants and toxins that cause asthma, cancer, heart attacks, and cognitive decline. By 2030, air pollution from data centers alone could cause an additional 600,000 asthma cases annually in the US and an estimated 1,300 premature deaths. Nitrogen oxide from gas turbines is making it hard for nearby residents to breathe: In the Boxtown neighborhood of Memphis, for example, xAI’s supercomputer facility operates 35 turbines without pollution controls or adequate permits.
The following recommendations are designed to protect community members from the harmful and irreversible effects of data centers, including degraded air quality and worsening quality of community life.
Local Interventions
Local governments must protect community members from the harmful and irreversible effects of data centers, including degraded air quality and worsening quality of community life.
Prohibit Backup Diesel Generators
Some data centers are installing backup generators, often diesel, to provide power in the event of power outages. Localities should prohibit data centers from running on-site diesel generators. Localities should also protect against developer work-arounds, such as developers acquiring permits from adjacent jurisdictions. If it is necessary to enable data centers to provide backup power […]
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Some data centers are installing backup generators, often diesel, to provide power in the event of power outages. Localities should prohibit data centers from running on-site diesel generators. Localities should also protect against developer work-arounds, such as developers acquiring permits from adjacent jurisdictions.
If it is necessary to enable data centers to provide backup power generation, the following measures should be taken:
Notification
Communities must be notified when backup generators are being used or tested.
Permit Control
Permits for backup generators must be strictly controlled and regulated through a local agency, such as the local health department. Compliance must be routinely investigated and violators should have their permits revoked.
Require Pollution Control Equipment
Require data center operators to install pollution control equipment on all back-up generators.
Jurisdiction Requirements
Specify that permits from other localities are not valid.
Cumulative Impact Reporting
Require permitting decisions to consider existing air-pollution burdens and determine whether the addition of another source will exacerbate these impacts to an unacceptable degree.
Strong example
Colorado’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission rules require oil and gas operators to consider cumulative impacts when applying for permits.
Prohibit Exemptions from Emissions Standards
Prohibit data center applications from requesting an exemption of the state’s emission rules. Note: If localities cannot legally prohibit exemptions from state emissions regulations, they should speak out against this practice. Strong (state) example Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected a data center application’s request for an exemption from the state’s emission rules.
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Prohibit data center applications from requesting an exemption of the state’s emission rules.
Note: If localities cannot legally prohibit exemptions from state emissions regulations, they should speak out against this practice.
Strong (state) example
Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected a data center application’s request for an exemption from the state’s emission rules.
Prohibit Data Centers in Commercial and Mixed-Use Zoning
This prohibition should be framed as a community health measure to ensure that communities are investing first and foremost in development that will sustain and nourish the community, including housing, grocery stores, and businesses that can bring long-term jobs into the community.
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This prohibition should be framed as a community health measure to ensure that communities are investing first and foremost in development that will sustain and nourish the community, including housing, grocery stores, and businesses that can bring long-term jobs into the community.
Require Fenceline Air Quality Monitoring
Require the installation and use of best-in-class technology to continuously monitor air quality, surface water quality and groundwater quality at facility boundaries for air pollutants, thermal impacts, salinity, cooling-system chemicals, and metals.
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Require the installation and use of best-in-class technology to continuously monitor air quality, surface water quality and groundwater quality at facility boundaries for air pollutants, thermal impacts, salinity, cooling-system chemicals, and metals.
State & Regional Interventions
States play an important role protecting community members across multiple local governments from the harmful effects of data centers on air quality and community life.
Prohibit Backup Diesel Generators
Some data centers are installing backup generators, often diesel, to provide power in the event of power outages. States should prohibit data centers from running on-site diesel generators. States should also protect against developer work-arounds, such as developers acquiring permits from adjacent jurisdictions.
Read more
Some data centers are installing backup generators, often diesel, to provide power in the event of power outages. States should prohibit data centers from running on-site diesel generators. States should also protect against developer work-arounds, such as developers acquiring permits from adjacent jurisdictions.
Prohibit Exemptions from Emissions Standards
Prohibit data center applications from requesting an exemption of the state’s emission rules. Note: If localities cannot legally prohibit exemptions from state emissions regulations, they should speak out against this practice. Strong example Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected a data center application’s request for an exemption from the state’s emission rules.
Read more
Prohibit data center applications from requesting an exemption of the state’s emission rules. Note: If localities cannot legally prohibit exemptions from state emissions regulations, they should speak out against this practice.
Strong example
Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected a data center application’s request for an exemption from the state’s emission rules.