Preventing Data Center Expansion

NCA has joined the fight against the negative impacts of data centers on air quality and the health of the communities around them. These vulnerable communities already face cumulative health impacts from the combined burden of both past and present pollution, and it is critical we prevent data center expansion from adding to them.

We are focused on diesel backup generators used for data centers that emit toxic air contaminants such as DPM, black carbon/soot, VOCs, carbon monoxide, and metals.

NCA has been advocating for a shift from fossil fuel backup generators to battery use, as well as a decrease in “emergency” approval for diesel backup generator use.

Additionally, we are working to require the cumulative impacts of data centers on health to be analyzed, and to educate the public on the risks data centers pose to their health.

Key data center regulations NCA is fighting to advance include:

1. Mandating zero-emission battery backup generators/battery storage requirements 

2. Requiring stronger emissions controls for backup generators

3. Narrowing the definition of an “emergency” that allows the use of diesel backup generators for data centers

4. Accounting for cumulative impacts and plan sites away from sensitive locations (schools, hospitals, residential neighborhoods). This will include pre-construction cumulative health assessments as well as updates to land use regulations.

Links to recent media on our data center work:

Trump EPA aims to exempt data centers from disclosing air pollution, advocates warn (The Guardian, 08/25/2026, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/25/datacenters-air-pollution-epa)

E.P.A. Moves to Curb Public Input on Air Pollution Permits for Data Centers (New York Times, 08/25/2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/climate/epa-data-centers-public-comment.html) 

Why data centers pose an outsized threat to Eastern Oregon’s air quality (Oregon Public Broadcasting, 07/22/2026, https://www.opb.org/article/2026/07/22/data-center-eastern-oregon-air-quality-umatilla-basin/)

How Your Donation Will Help Us:

Neighbors for Clean Air is working to advance policies and regulations that encompass the true scope of impacts the data center industry is having on the environment and public health. Whether that be requiring non-diesel back-up generators or expanding the land-use requirements required for data center permitting, your donation is helping NCA work to ensure that data center growth no longer grows unchecked, unregulated and unfettered.

Please Join Us!

Clean air should not be limited to your zip code. Your gift helps NCA keep fighting for the day when every Oregonian in every neighborhood can breathe clean air.