Committee advances data-center reporting bill after industry security concerns

A bill to require monthly facility-level data reporting by large data centers drew divided testimony in the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. Presenting AB 15 77, the author’s proxy said the measure implements a Little Hoover Commission recommendation to provide regulators and local planners with granular information for modeling, permitting and community protection.

Ethan Rarick of the Little Hoover Commission pressed the need for transparency: “Better data, more data would allow the state to plan responsibly for the rapid expansion of data centers,” he said. Supporters including environmental groups and local water agencies told the committee facility-level information is necessary to forecast impacts on energy, water and noise and to protect ratepayers from unanticipated grid burdens.

Industry witnesses urged changes. Cara Boender of the Data Center Coalition warned that monthly disclosure of operational energy data could create a “thermal fingerprint” that endangers facilities and reveals proprietary operations, saying the reporting frequency is administratively burdensome and risks competitive disadvantage. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group and trade groups said AB 15 77 risks duplicating pending CPUC work under SB 57 and asked the committee to refine definitions and reporting frequency.

Committee members asked the author to work with opponents on narrowing definitions and avoiding duplicative reporting. The bill was passed as amended to natural-resources review and left open for absent members on the roll call.