EPA Prioritizes Review of New Chemicals Used in Data Center Projects, Supporting American Manufacturing and Technological Advancement

EPA Prioritizes Review of New Chemicals Used in Data Center Projects, Supporting American Manufacturing and Technological Advancement

September 18, 2025

WASHINGTON - Following a roundtable with AI and data center leaders at the White House on Monday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that it will be prioritizing the review of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that are intended for use in data center projects or for the manufacturing of covered components, as defined by Executive Order 14318, "Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure." This prioritization of reviews will start with submissions received on or after September 29, 2025.

"We inherited a massive backlog of new chemical reviews from the Biden Administration which is getting in the way of projects as it pertains to data center and artificial intelligence projects. The Trump EPA wants to get out of the way and help speed up progress on these critical developments, as opposed to gumming up the works. We are taking every step possible to make America the artificial intelligence capital of the world. The American people demand it. President Trump and his team are getting it done," said EPA Administrator Zeldin.

The expeditious review of new chemicals, especially those needed to support our nation's investment, advances innovation and helps to grow our nation's economy. This effort advances Administrator Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback initiative by streamlining the review of critically needed chemicals and ensuring data centers and related facilities can be powered and operated in a clean manner to make the U.S. the AI capital of the world.

Section 7 of the Executive Order directs the EPA to expedite permitting on Federal and non-Federal lands under laws including TSCA that impact the development of qualifying projects such as AI data centers and the infrastructure that powers them (i.e. high voltage transmission lines and other equipment). In line with this directive, EPA will prioritize review of certain new chemicals to reduce the regulatory burden to companies looking to invest in them.

EPA will prioritize the review of submissions for new chemicals that are intended for use in data center projects or in the manufacturing of covered components, in each case, which pertain to a data center project that is a qualifying project, as defined by the Executive Order. New chemical manufacturers may also seek to prioritize the review of a new chemical under the directives of this Executive Order if the chemical has such an intended use. While the agency is prioritizing the review of new chemicals related to this Executive Order, EPA is committed to reviewing all new chemical submissions in a timely manner and continues work to reduce the backlog of new chemicals under review.

To help companies determine if their chemical and intended use qualify for prioritized review, EPA has provided instructions for the best way for submitters to make their request and provide necessary information to support the request. Companies with new chemicals qualifying for prioritized review can identify their submission as a chemical intended for use in a data center project or for the manufacturing of covered components by submitting a cover letter through the Central Data Exchange (CDX) with their new chemical submission identifying the use and the data center where the new chemical or covered component will be used.

EPA will assess this method of identifying relevant submissions as time goes on to ensure the timely review of new chemicals to make the U.S. the AI capital of the world.

Background

President Trump's Executive Order 14179, "Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI)," boldly calls for America to advance dominance in technological innovation through the creation of an AI Action Plan. "America's AI Action Plan," released in July 2025, is comprised of three pillars-innovation, infrastructure, and international diplomacy and security-that provide the foundational framework for victory in this hypercompetitive global race. Inspired by this vision, EPA is focused on strengthening America's energy foundation and ensuring our nation remains the global leader in AI and the infrastructure that powers it.

Making America the AI Capital of the World is a core pillar of Administrator Zeldin's Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative. In July, Administrator Zeldin attended the Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit and participated in a roundtable alongside President Trump and National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) partners where industry leaders announced over $90 billion in investments in the Keystone State, creating jobs and helping to unleash American energy to power the AI revolution.

In a Fox News op-ed published following the trip, Administrator Zeldin highlighted for the first time, EPA's proposals to streamline permitting and regulations to accelerate American data center development. EPA will continue to do its part to advance America's leadership in AI while maintaining its core mission of protecting human health and the environment.