Lawmakers debate water‑use disclosure and permitting rules for data centers
Two related bills would require upfront water‑supply assessments and annual facility‑level water reporting for large data centers so local governments can evaluate water availability and infrastructure costs; scientists supported transparency while industry groups warned of duplication, confidentiality risks and permitting delays.
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Assemblymember (speaker 37) presented two related measures that aim to give local governments and water suppliers more information before approving large data‑center projects. AB 2469 would require an upfront water‑supply assessment and that a proponent demonstrate a reliable and sustainable supply and bear infrastructure costs if new conveyance or treatment is needed; AB 2619 would require annual reporting of actual water consumption as part of business‑license renewals and direct DWR to publish best‑practice guidance (the bill also asks water agencies to include data centers in urban water planning).
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