Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's claims on data center water usage contradicted by data
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed data centers don't use water, calling concerns "misinformation." However, data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows US data centers used an estimated 66 billion liters of water in 2023. Lutnick later clarified that newer facilities employ closed-circuit cooling systems.
Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, asserted that data centers "don't use water" and dismissed concerns about their water consumption as "misinformation." This statement was countered by data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which estimated that U.S. data centers consumed 66 billion liters of water in 2023, noting that usage varies significantly based on cooling systems and facility types.
Lutnick subsequently clarified his position, acknowledging that older data centers were significant consumers of water and power, but emphasized that newer facilities utilize advanced, more efficient cooling methods like closed-circuit systems. The video highlights the broader societal debate concerning how communities can balance the economic benefits of data center growth—such as increased tax revenue, job creation, and potential for lower power costs—against the demands these facilities place on local resources, particularly water and electricity.
The discussion underscores that the question of data center water usage is complex and not amenable to a simple yes or no answer, influencing communities to weigh economic development against environmental and resource considerations.