Scope
The Washington Department of Ecology's "Data centers" air quality page states that Ecology issues air quality permits to data centers to limit pollution from diesel-powered backup generators and tracks the combined diesel exhaust impacts; that, when required, a data center must prepare a health impact assessment of its toxic air pollution (diesel exhaust and nitrogen dioxide), which Ecology must review before issuing the notice of construction permit required before a data center is built or expanded; that most data centers Ecology regulates are in Quincy and the Wenatchee area, with others regulated by local clean air agencies; and it lists Ecology approval orders by city. It is an informational agency page applying general air rules to data centers; it is not a data-center-specific rule.
- Geographic scope
- Washington
- Jurisdiction
- State
- Authority type
- Government agency
- Issuing authority
- Washington State Department of Ecology
Dates
- Adopted
- No adoption day is recorded
- Effective
- Not a binding measure
- Scheduled expiration
- None scheduled
- Ended
- Not recorded as ended
- Completion condition
- None stated
- Source document
- The source page states no document date
- Last checked
- 5 October 2026
Summary
Washington's Department of Ecology explains how it permits data centers' diesel backup generators: a notice of construction permit is required before a data center is built or expanded, and when required a health impact assessment of diesel exhaust and nitrogen dioxide must be reviewed first. The page notes that most Ecology-regulated data centers are in Quincy and the Wenatchee area, that local clean air agencies regulate data centers elsewhere, and it lists individual approval orders. It is informational; individual approval orders are facility permits.
What this does not establish
- The page is undated; no publication day is stored.
- The permit and health-impact requirements it describes come from generally applicable air rules, not a data-center-specific rule; a draft data-center General Order (2025) was not found on the page and is not part of this record.
- Data centers outside Ecology's jurisdiction are regulated by local clean air agencies, which were not reviewed.
Unresolved questions
None recorded.
Relationships
Supersession means a later instrument replaces the earlier legal effect. Repeal links identify the repeal instrument and the measure it ends. A later implementation or related letter is not treated as a replacement unless the record says so.
- No related action is recorded.
Sources
https://ecology.wa.gov/air-climate/air-quality/data-centers