To: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin
Dear Unnecessary and Burdensome Red Tape,
Karen Feridun
EPA Administrator Zeldin, do not strip the public of its ability to comment on "minor sources" of pollution, like those that serve data centers. Diesel backup generators and natural gas turbines are considered to be "minor sources." Their cumulative impact can be substantial. According to a Sierra Club investigation, "Amazon alone holds enough 'minor source' air permits to allow its backup generators to emit 4,200 tons of NOx in Northern Virginia, about the same as a mid-sized coal plant right in the heart of the seventh largest metro area in the country." https://www.sierraclub.org/coal/secret-coal-plant-dc-suburbs
And that's just one of the problems with the "minor source" designation.
The public comment period is sometimes the first or only opportunity for people to voice their concerns. Don't silence the people.
And that's just one of the problems with the "minor source" designation.
The public comment period is sometimes the first or only opportunity for people to voice their concerns. Don't silence the people.
Why is this important?
The federal Environmental Protection Agency is trying, once again, to silence the public. Did you know that you are "unnecessary and burdensome red tape" in the eyes of the EPA?
The agency is accepting comments until August 21st on its proposal to make a change to the way permit applications for air quality permits are reviewed. At present, the review includes an opportunity for the public to comment. The change would eliminate that process for facilities considered to be "minor sources" of pollution and leave it to the states to decide if the public should have an opportunity to comment.
"Minor sources" include diesel backup generators and natural gas turbines, like those used at data centers.
For example, this Spring, the PA DEP received a plan approval application from Amazon Data Services for its Falls Township data center for 280 natural gas generators and 3 diesel tanks. DEP says the facility will remain a "synthetic minor," a facility that would exceed maximum "minor source" levels without the operator taking steps to keep the facility in compliance. A "minor source" is by no means a trifling matter.
Please add your name to this petition we will submit to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Thank you!
Please add your name to this petition we will submit to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Thank you!
And please consider taking an extra minute or two to submit a comment. The EPA Is accepting comments on its proposed rule change until August 21st. We've created this EZ form you can use to submit a comment. We'll format your comment as a PDF and submit it to the docket on Regulations.gov. We do this because agencies count petitions as one comment, even if a million people sign it. The number of signers will not go unnoticed, but will not "count." Even the letters some organizations ask you to sign and send are treated the same way. Our form ensures that each submission will be unique and, therefore, counted.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5VrVoZh8yQz9JyZHCsg2S6UPNRW8_1lnzaSy6iD8Z4rPOTQ/viewform
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5VrVoZh8yQz9JyZHCsg2S6UPNRW8_1lnzaSy6iD8Z4rPOTQ/viewform
If you prefer to submit your own comment, you can go directly to Regulations.gov at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/07/2026-13667/minor-new-source-review-program-air-permitting-public-participation-requirements-for-state#open-comment
How it will be delivered
We will submit the petition to the docket on Regulations.gov and send it electronically to EPA Administrator Zeldin's office.