As data center backlash grows, Big Tech spends big to sway California lawmakers
Tech and utility companies are significantly increasing their lobbying efforts in Sacramento, California, to influence proposed state legislation. Their goal is to stop or weaken seven bills currently before the California Legislature that aim to regulate data center facilities. Pacific Gas & Electric is identified as the leading spender in these lobbying efforts.
Big Tech companies, including Amazon and AI firm Anthropic, alongside utility giant Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), are actively lobbying in Sacramento, California, to influence data center legislation. These companies are reportedly "flooding Sacramento with cash" in an effort to halt or weaken seven bills currently awaiting approval in the California Legislature.
PG&E has emerged as the top spender in these lobbying efforts, recording one of its largest lobbying quarters since 1999 earlier this year. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate data center facilities, addressing growing concerns and a general backlash against their development.