Trump epa fast-tracks chemical approvals for data centers, raising pfas concerns

The Environmental Protection Agency is prioritizing the review of new chemicals for data center construction, a move that environmental experts warn could accelerate the approval of potentially harmful “forever chemicals” with reduced oversight.

As part of the Trump administration’s broader AI and data center expansion push, the EPA announced in September that it would fast-track chemical reviews for data center projects and related infrastructure. The policy stems from executive orders and an AI Action Plan rolled out in July, which the White House says will create a “golden age for American manufacturing and technological dominance.” However, critics argue this deregulatory approach prioritizes industry interests over environmental protection.

The policy’s most concerning application may involve specialized cooling systems for data centers. Advanced cooling techniques like two-phase immersion cooling use liquids that often contain PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as “forever chemicals” due to their environmental persistence. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and immune system problems. Chemical giant Chemours, which has paid hundreds of millions in PFAS-related settlements, is developing new cooling fluids containing these substances and has lobbied for regulatory reforms.

Former EPA official Greg Schweer, who oversaw chemical reviews from 2008-2020, warns the policy contains significant loopholes that could allow manufacturers to rush chemicals through with minimal scrutiny. “If you have to do things quickly, you look for shortcuts,” Schweer noted. While the EPA maintains that no review steps will be bypassed, experts fear political pressure could compromise the thoroughness of safety evaluations at a time when PFAS regulation is becoming increasingly urgent worldwide.