Updated

Former EPA officials warned that the Trump administration is weakening environmental regulations to accelerate construction of AI data centers, raising health risks for nearby communities. In a briefing and new report, they urged the administration to adopt a 'Data Center Health Protection Pledge' to demonstrate it is taking environmental threats seriously. The move reflects broader tension between the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure and environmental oversight, with critics arguing the administration is prioritizing speed of AI development over public health protections.