Washington Turns AI Data-Center Air Permits Into a Disclosure-Off Switch

EPA has proposed removing minimum federal public-participation requirements for minor New Source Review permits and leaving those choices to state and local air agencies. Advocates are now framing the rule as an AI data-center transparency fight because backup generators and onsite power sources can be permitted as minor or synthetic-minor sources. The policy question is no longer only how fast AI infrastructure can get power, but who gets to see and contest the air permits attached to that buildout.