Wetlands shield narrows, fueling a data-center boom

A 2023 Supreme Court ruling narrowing the Clean Water Act’s protection for streams and wetlands has allowed a surge of AI data-center projects to move forward with minimal or no federal water permits and limited public input. POLITICO’s review found at least 26 data-center sites since 2024 benefiting from streamlined nationwide permits, with many projects obtaining approvals without an individual, public-comment review, shifting much of the regulatory burden to states and localities and potentially shortening NEPA analyses as well. The build-out spans states from Ohio to Texas to Nevada, prompting concerns about water quality, flood risks, and community voices in permitting.