Committee probes data‑center water use; members push transparency and local agreements
Members and witnesses debated how to ensure data centers do not shift water infrastructure costs to residents. Witnesses recommended preconstruction disclosures (peak/maximum/annual use, sources, chemicals, cooling tech), strong local agreements, and incentives for reuse or non‑water cooling.
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Lawmakers pressed witnesses on whether data centers should pay the full cost of hookups and infrastructure upgrades and what disclosures communities should receive before approval. "They have to be transparent and open about what they're doing and provide those answers," Neil Bradley, the U.S. Chamber witness, told the subcommittee, adding that large users should pay for incremental system costs.
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