The Trump Administration Is Exempting Data Centers From Pollution Laws Intended To Prevent Acid Rain

The Trump administration will exempt power plants built mainly to serve data centers from the Clean Air Act’s Acid Rain Program.

That means those plants could avoid limits on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, pollutants linked to acid rain and health harms.

The move further tilts policy toward AI infrastructure while loosening environmental protections.

Critics say the exemption could allow more pollution from data-center power plants and worsen environmental damage.