Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials, now working with the Environmental Protection Network, have raised concerns that policies from the Trump administration since January 2025 have weakened environmental protections, making it easier for industries to expand without strict oversight. These changes include relaxed rules on pollution controls, permitting, and inspection standards, which critics say could lead to increased health risks, especially with the rapid growth of data centers. The United States currently has around 3,000 data centers, with over 1,500 more in the planning stages. These facilities, which support everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence, require significant energy, often sourced from fossil fuels. According to the former EPA officials, the lack of strong regulatory oversight could allow this expansion to proceed without adequate safeguards for public health and the environment. Dan Costa, a former EPA researcher with 35 years of experience studying air pollution, said the agency once had a strong research team focused on identifying new environmental threats. However, the Trump administration has significantly reduced the EPA’s research capabilities and shifted its focus away from enforcing pollution standards. This has led to fewer resources being dedicated to monitoring and mitigating the environmental impact of new technologies like data centers. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, in a memo, emphasized the administration’s goal of making the U.S. a global leader in artificial intelligence by reducing regulatory hurdles. This has included allowing data center developers to begin construction before obtaining necessary pollution permits and directing enforcement staff to avoid actions that might interfere with energy production. Some developers have even kept outdated coal-fired power plants in operation to power these facilities, despite their environmental impact. A recent study cited by the Environmental Protection Network warns that the pollution from the AI boom could result in an additional 1,300 deaths annually. Physician and former EPA official Lynn Goldman pointed out that some health effects, such as heart attacks or premature births, could occur quickly due to exposure to harmful particulates. However, other risks, like cancer, may take years to manifest. Goldman stressed that the push for AI innovation should not come at the cost of public health.