Topic 04 of 13 · 21 guides

Environmental & physical risk

Floodplain, wetlands, ground conditions and hazards that shrink or disqualify a site.

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Natural Hazard Risk in Data Center Site SelectionHow earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfire, winter storms, heat and drought factor into data center site selection, and where to find hazard data.9 min →
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for Data Center LandWhat a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment covers under ASTM E1527-21, what RECs mean, how PFAS and rural tracts are handled, and when a Phase II follows.10 min →
Endangered Species Review for Data Center Sites: What Triggers It and What to CheckHow the Endangered Species Act affects data center sites: IPaC screening, Section 7 vs. Section 10, critical habitat, bat clearing windows and the 2026 harm rule.10 min →
Cultural Resources and Section 106: What Data Center Developers Need to KnowWhen Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act applies to a data center, how SHPO and tribal consultation works, and when state law applies instead.10 min →
Stormwater Management for Data Center Campuses: Permits, Ponds and Land UseHow stormwater rules affect data center campuses: construction permits, SWPPPs, detention and water quality requirements, and how much buildable land ponds use.10 min →
Do Data Center Backup Generators Need an Air Permit?How air permits apply to data center backup generators: potential to emit, synthetic minor and Title V status, ozone nonattainment, modeling and Tier 4 rules.10 min →
NEPA Review for Data Centers: When It Applies and What Changed in 2025When a data center triggers NEPA review: federal land, funding and permits, categorical exclusion vs. EA vs. EIS, and the 2025–2026 changes to NEPA practice.9 min →
Seismic Risk and Data Center Site Selection: Hazard Maps, Design Categories and LiquefactionHow seismic risk affects data center site selection: USGS hazard maps, ASCE 7-22 seismic design categories, site class, liquefaction, faults and loss studies.10 min →
Karst, Sinkholes and Data Center Sites: How to Screen and Investigate the GroundHow karst and sinkholes affect data center sites: USGS karst maps, geotechnical and geophysical investigation, foundation risk, stormwater and groundwater rules.9 min →
Tornado and High-Wind Risk for Data Centers: ASCE 7-22 Tornado Loads, Risk Categories and SitingHow tornado and high-wind risk affect data center sites: ASCE 7-22 tornado loads, risk categories, design wind speeds, roof and yard equipment, and lifelines.10 min →
Wildfire Risk and Data Center Siting: Hazard Maps, Power Shutoffs and WUI CodesHow wildfire risk affects data center siting: Wildfire Risk to Communities data, public safety power shutoffs, WUI codes, smoke and cooling, and what to ask.9 min →
Hurricane and Storm Surge Risk for Data Center Sites: SLOSH Maps, Coastal Flood Zones and Grid OutagesHow to screen data center sites for hurricane and storm surge risk: NOAA SLOSH surge maps, FEMA coastal flood zones, wind-borne debris rules and grid outages.10 min →
Brownfield Cleanup Programs and Liability Protections for Data Center SitesHow brownfield liability protections work for data center land: the CERCLA bona fide purchaser defense, AAI, state voluntary cleanup programs and EPA grants.9 min →
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments for Data Center Land: When You Need One and What It CostsWhen data center land needs a Phase II environmental site assessment, how ASTM E1903 sampling works, what it costs, how long it takes and how results affect a deal.8 min →
Tree Clearing and Forest Conservation Rules for Data Center SitesHow tree clearing rules affect data center sites: Maryland’s Forest Conservation Act, local tree ordinances and proffers, and bat and bird clearing windows.9 min →
Climate Change, Future Heat and Data Center Site RiskHow climate change affects data center site risk: rising heat, cooling design days built on past weather, future rainfall and sea level, and what to check.8 min →
Data Center Emissions and ESG Reporting: What It Means for Site SelectionHow data center emissions and ESG reporting affect site selection: Scope 1, 2 and 3, location vs. market-based accounting, California SB 253 and EU rules.10 min →
Diesel Fuel Storage and SPCC Plans at Data CentersWhen data center diesel storage triggers an EPA SPCC plan: the 1,320-gallon threshold, belly tanks, secondary containment, state tank rules and fire codes.9 min →

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