EPA Faces Pressure Over New Pfas Chemical

A coalition of 17 environmental groups is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject a new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that Chemours, a leading chemical company, is seeking to fast-track for approval. The proposed compound is intended for use in cooling data centers, but the coalition argues that its deployment would likely result in pollution in surrounding areas. The environmental groups claim that Chemours has relied on flawed science to minimize the chemical's potential health and climate risks, thereby attempting to expedite the approval process.

The coalition's concerns are outlined in formal comments submitted to the EPA, in which they accuse Chemours of violating the law by submitting an incomplete and inaccurate application. Earthjustice, a legal non-profit that led the effort to draft the comments, asserts that approving the application in its current form would be a violation of regulatory requirements. The environmental groups are demanding that the EPA conduct a thorough review of the proposed compound's potential impacts on human health and the environment before making a decision on its approval. By doing so, they hope to prevent the potential harm that could result from the widespread adoption of this new PFAS.

The outcome of this dispute will have significant implications for the future of data center operations and the environmental sustainability of the tech industry as a whole. As the EPA considers the coalition's comments and weighs the potential risks and benefits of the proposed compound, it will be crucial for the agency to prioritize a thorough and science-based evaluation of the chemical's potential impacts. Ultimately, the decision will determine whether Chemours' application is approved, rejected, or sent back for further review and revision, and will set an important precedent for the regulation of emerging PFAS compounds in the future.