EPA Proposes Limits on Texas Permit Input

The EPA has proposed giving states more control over notice and public participation for minor-source air permits, a pathway increasingly used for diesel generators and gas turbines at Texas data centers.

The proposal is not final, but environmental groups say it could make it harder for residents to challenge permits and assess cumulative emissions, while the agency says it would reduce administrative burdens without changing pollution standards. The issue is illustrated by large projects near San Antonio and Abilene, where onsite power systems and phased permits have raised questions about emissions, transparency, and local oversight.