The Trump Administration’s Initiative on Data Centers May Pave the Way for New Persistent Chemicals

In reply to inquiries regarding its two-phase cooling products from WIRED, including whether the company intends to submit chemicals for expedited review under the administration’s new data center exemption, Chemours representative Cassie Olszewski stated that the company is “in the process of commercializing our two-phase immersion cooling fluid, which will require relevant regulatory approvals.”

“Our efforts in this domain have concentrated on creating more sustainable and efficient cooling solutions that enable data centers to reduce energy, water, and space consumption while effectively managing the increasing heat produced by the next generation of higher-powered chips,” Olszewski mentioned.

These semiconductors could also serve as a major source for new chemicals. Both Schweer and Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, a lawyer with the environmental nonprofit Earthjustice, indicate that the semiconductor industry, which produces the chips powering data centers, stands to benefit greatly from the expedited review process. The manufacturing of semiconductors utilizes persistent chemicals at various stages, including during the vital photolithography process, which involves using light to imprint patterns onto silicon wafers.

Schweer notes that during his recent years at the EPA, this industry presented numerous applications for new chemicals. Kalmuss-Katz adds that semiconductor manufacturers “are a primary driver of new chemicals.”

“The administration seems to have an AI-at-all-costs approach, hastily constructing more data centers and chip fabrication plants without any substantial strategy for addressing their climate effects, resource consumption, and the toxic substances produced and released by these new facilities,” he asserts.

Lobbying records reveal that this year, the semiconductor industry has requested alterations to the EPA’s new-chemicals program. In March, Nancy Beck, a former policy director for an industry lobby, who now leads the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention—responsible for overseeing new chemical reviews—met with representatives from SEMI, a global advocacy body for the industry. This meeting was originally planned to discuss the “EPA’s approach to regulation of PFAS and other chemicals critical to semiconductor manufacturing,” according to emails obtained by WIRED through a Freedom of Information Act request. Correspondence shows that Beck suggested during the meeting that the lobbying group submit a public comment supporting changes to the new chemicals program, which the group did within the following month in a letter. (“The Trump EPA encourages stakeholders to submit and document their comments on proposed rules to ensure a diverse array of perspectives,” states Hirsch, the EPA spokesperson.)