Microsoft Indiana Data Center Moves Through Permit Reviews

Project moves forward

Microsoft’s Indiana data center is advancing through two environmental permitting steps: groundwater approval and review of an air permit. The groundwater approval has moved forward, while the air permit review is still underway.

The actions mark progress in the project’s regulatory process. They do not, by themselves, complete the full review of the facility’s permits.

Groundwater approval

The groundwater portion of the process has reached an approval stage. Groundwater approvals can address how a project will access or use underground water during development or operation, but the specific terms of this approval are not stated here.

Microsoft’s data center project is part of the state’s continuing development activity in the technology and infrastructure sector. The project’s approval is one step in that process.

Air permit remains under review

The air permit review has not yet reached a final decision. Air permits are used to review emissions from regulated equipment and activities. The review will determine whether the project meets the applicable requirements for that permit.

The status of the air permit means the data center’s environmental permitting work is continuing rather than complete. Further action in the review process will determine what comes next for that permit.

What happens next

The groundwater approval and air permit review involve separate parts of the project’s permitting process. The groundwater matter has advanced, while the air permit remains before regulators for review.

Construction Review reported the project’s progress. The publication’s report is available here.