For Immediate Release
Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Contact: Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
Richmond, VA – The Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal that cuts the public out of air pollution permits for “minor sources”, which includes the tractor trailer-sized diesel generators used by data centers. EPA’s proposal removes any requirement for transparency or public participation for minor source pollution sources, including most data centers.
As data centers rapidly expand across Virginia, many rely on fleets of diesel and gas generators while obtaining multiple "minor source" permits that can obscure the cumulative pollution impacts of clustered data centers. Instead of strengthening oversight, the administration is proposing to weaken one of the few tools communities have to understand and challenge new pollution sources in their neighborhoods.
A Sierra Club investigation found 10,500 diesel generators at data centers condensed in Northern Virginia, totaling nearly 27 gigawatts, enough to power 7 million homes. Amazon alone holds enough “minor source” air permits to allow its backup generators to emit 4,200 tons of air pollutants 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.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 22, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Information on the proposed action is available here. Comments on the proposed rule are due August 21, 2026.
Statement from Connor Kish, Director, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter:
‘Minor source’ permits have major impacts on local communities. Virginians are already up against increased demand on local energy and water supply. The diesel generators permitted in Northern Virginia can already cause more pollution than a coal plant. Public participation is the people’s best defense, helping to ensure that permitting authorities adhere to the law. The EPA can’t decide that pollution isn’t pollution.”