Proposed San Jose data center raises energy and environmental concerns

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering an agreement allowing Pacific Gas and Electric Company to connect Google’s proposed 250-megawatt data center in San Jose. Utility watchdog attorney Elise Torres said the facility would require power roughly equivalent to Marin County’s total load and could require Google to provide an advance payment of as much as $150 million for infrastructure upgrades. PG&E argues the upgrades were already planned and would benefit other customers as well.

The project has also prompted concerns about water consumption, electronic waste, electricity rates and continued reliance on fossil-fueled power. Google said the site will include research and development facilities and is expected to use mostly recycled water. The commission’s decision could influence proposed statewide standards, known as Rule 30, for connecting large electricity customers to the transmission grid.