Scotland sets a 50 MW AI data-center EIA line

Scotland now requires new data centres above 50 MW to submit an environmental impact assessment during planning, stopping short of a moratorium. The Guardian reports the Scottish government’s rule and the scrutiny it brings to biodiversity, water, soils, noise, and backup-generator air impacts. Developers should read it beside the archive’s analysis of data-center grid costs: a 50 MW proposal now carries an environmental evidence gate before application review.