Commission flags water, grid-interconnection and tariff issues in data-center draft
Summary
As it reviewed Text 2601, the commission asked staff to clarify how closed-loop cooling and recycled/nonpotable water requirements would be enforced and whether grid interconnection upgrade costs or tariffs could be shifted to local customers for centers below state thresholds.
Commission members raised technical and regulatory concerns about water use and grid interconnection in the draft data-center ordinance. Members asked whether closed-loop cooling would be required, how water source (river, aquifer, recycled/nonpotable) would be specified in a CUP, and whether interconnection upgrade costs could be passed along to local ratepayers for projects under state thresholds.
"Well, we've already limited it to recycled or non potable water," a staff member said when commissioners questioned water-source requirements; the discussion moved to how to identify and require water-use accounting in CUP conditions. Commissioners also cited a roughly 75-megawatt threshold in state guidance that can affect whether an interconnection upgrade cost is eligible to be shifted, and recommended adding language to protect local customers from bearing unexpected network upgrade charges.
Staff said the next draft will include size-breakdowns and additional wording on closed-loop requirements and water identification; county council is reviewing NDA language for broader document sharing and staff will return an updated draft later.
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