{
  "id": 13247016,
  "title": "Tasmanian EPA says it was not told extent of Firmus data centre generator plans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/tasmanian-epa-says-it-was-not-told-extent-of-firmus-data-centre",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-09T22:54:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-10/firmus-generators-epa-appeal-watchdog/107247476"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Tasmanian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has expressed concerns over the extent of diesel generator plans for the recently approved Firmus Technologies data centre in Tasmania. Initially, the EPA was informed that the 276 diesel generators would only be used in emergency situations or for routine inspections, but Firmus has now appealed to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) to allow for much more frequent use of these generators. The EPA has now applied to join the TASCAT appeal, stating that the variation in the generator use could have led to a different decision regarding the need for an environmental assessment. The EPA board argues that if the appeal is upheld, it could undermine the original determination, change the environmental risk profile of the project, and potentially result in environmental harm.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}