The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new guidance on Tuesday to provide greater clarity and reduce delays in the permitting process for major energy, data center, and manufacturing projects.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin outlined updates to the agency’s New Source Review (NSR) preconstruction permitting requirements, allowing certain building activities that do not directly relate to air emissions to move forward before a Clean Air Act permit is finalized.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to accelerate infrastructure development and position the United States as a global leader in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI).
“For years, Clean Air Act permitting has been an obstacle to innovation and growth,” Zeldin said. “We are continuing to fix this broken system. Today’s guidance is another step to allow the build out of essential power generation, data centers, and manufacturing projects that will bring about America’s Golden Age.”
The EPA also intends to launch a formal rulemaking to update the definition of “Begin Actual Construction” within NSR regulations. The goal is to make it easier for developers and permitting authorities to distinguish between emissions-related and non-emissions-related construction activities, helping to streamline timelines without compromising environmental safeguards.
The business community responds
Business leaders have long argued that federal permitting delays create unnecessary costs and uncertainty for companies seeking to invest in new facilities. For Arizona, where the technology, manufacturing, and clean energy sectors are rapidly expanding, the new guidance could prove especially significant.
“Arizona businesses depend on a clear and predictable regulatory environment to invest, expand, and hire. The EPA’s action will help unlock the construction of the energy infrastructure, data centers, and advanced manufacturing facilities our economy needs to compete in the global marketplace,” Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden said. “By streamlining permitting without compromising environmental safeguards, this guidance strikes the right balance between growth and responsibility, and it sends a strong signal that the U.S. is serious about becoming the world leader in innovation.”
Arizona Chamber working with EPA to advance pro-business, pro-environment policy
The announcement builds on an ongoing dialogue between the EPA and Arizona business leaders.
In March, Administrator Zeldin joined Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in a discussion on the economic implications of federal regulations for Arizona industries, emphasizing the importance of balanced policies that protect both jobs and the environment.
Just weeks later, during a visit to Arizona, Zeldin rescinded prior federal guidance that local business leaders said jeopardized economic…
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