"WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed new measures aimed at speeding construction of infrastructure needed for the rapid buildup of data centers for artificial intelligence that would enable companies to start building before obtaining air permits.

The proposal comes six months after the EPA announced an initiative called Powering the Great American Comeback that prioritized the agency's focus on rapidly building power generation to meet soaring demand from data centers.

“For years, Clean Air Act permitting has been an obstacle to innovation and growth,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said. “We are continuing to fix this broken system."

The EPA proposal will redefine the pre-construction requirements for power plants, manufacturing facilities and other infrastructure to enable companies to start some construction that is not related to air emissions prior to obtaining Clean Air Act construction permits." 

Valerie Volcovici reports for Reuters September 9, 2025. [2]