EPA’s Unbalanced Role in AI Growth

In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, President Donald Trump’s administration has made its ambition clear: the United States aims to dominate the global AI scene. In line with this vision, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken an unexpected trajectory, shifting focus towards facilitating the rapid development of AI-related infrastructure, like data centers and chip factories, rather than centering its efforts on its primary mandate—protecting the environment and public health.

This new emphasis has resulted in a notable imbalance. Under Administrator Lee Zeldin, the EPA has acted more as an ally to the tech industry and fossil fuel sector than a safeguard for communities. The agency is moving swiftly to fast-track approvals for air pollution permits and to hasten reviews of new chemicals. The underlying rationale appears to be maintaining U.S. competitiveness, but this deregulatory enthusiasm starkly contrasts with the EPA’s sluggish adoption of AI technologies that could enhance environmental protection.

Currently, the agency’s engagement with AI seems limited to operational efficiencies, such as managing public comments. While these initiatives may create time-saving advantages, they scarcely tap into the potential of AI to contribute to the EPA’s core responsibilities. Advanced AI technologies akin to those driving large language models could proactively identify hazardous chemicals, map pollution sources with precision, and optimize inspection processes based on predictive analytics. Presently, AI is relegated to being a mere productivity enhancer rather than an essential instrument in the agency’s environmental mission.

This oversight is not just a missed opportunity; it poses significant risks. As industries rapidly harness AI for efficiency and predictive capabilities, the EPA must evolve or risk becoming obsolete—like a referee who no longer comprehends the dynamics of the game.

Historically, the agency tried innovative approaches, such as Project XL three decades ago, which encouraged companies to implement new strategies conditional on improved environmental outcomes. By allowing firms to explore beyond rigid regulations, the initiative fostered experimentation that led to tangible benefits. However, the initiative waned due to bureaucratic challenges and oversight concerns. Yet the principles underlying Project XL could be revitalized in the contemporary AI era.

A modern adaptation of Project XL could prompt industries to employ AI proactively rather than reactively. For instance, companies could utilize predictive analytics to enhance emission controls, optimize clean energy deployment, detect leaks in real-time, and communicate complex environmental data to the public more effectively. Such pilot projects could build community awareness regarding environmental health and safety.

To transition toward a more effective role in the age of AI, the EPA needs to shift its strategy from merely lowering barriers for industry to actively incorporating AI as a fundamental tool for environmental advocacy. Administrator Zeldin must champion a balanced approach that empowers the agency to employ AI in defending the environment, paralleling the same vigor witnessed in the pursuit of deregulation. Implementing a next-generation concept inspired by Project XL could facilitate collaboration with the private sector while maintaining the agency’s core public mission.

Avi Garbow is the founder of consultancy Fiery Run Environmental Strategies and a nationally recognized environmental lawyer. He served as the longest-tenured general counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 2009 to 2017.