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Senator urges one-year pause and disclosure rules for hyperscale data centers; committee heard testimony
Summary
Senator Howard presented SB 436 seeking a one-year pause on hyperscale data-center approvals and public disclosure of proposed facilities' water and energy use; the committee heard the presentation but took no vote.
Senator Howard presented SB 436, which contains two main components: a proposal that entities proposing hyperscale data centers publicly disclose projected water and energy usage, and a recommended one-year pause on new hyperscale approvals so the state can create a coordinated strategic plan for energy and water infrastructure.
"Some of these new data centers are using [huge amounts of water] every day," she told the committee, urging planning across industries and government. Howard stressed she was not anti-technology but wants to ensure the state coordinates infrastructure and resource planning before rapid growth of hyperscale facilities.
The chair acknowledged the issue and said related bills presented by other senators will likely be considered together in future hearings. There was no committee vote on SB 436 during this session; Senator Howard's presentation was received for consideration.
Next steps: Committee staff said related bills and proposals will be coordinated and considered together in upcoming hearings; no action was taken to advance SB 436 at this meeting.
