Arizona Chamber executive discusses data center resource use
This video addresses common myths about data centers' impact on Arizona's water and energy resources. Courtney Coolidge of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce explains that industrial use, including data centers, accounts for a small fraction of the state's water consumption, which has decreased since 1957. She also highlights policies implemented by the Arizona Corporation Commission and utility partners ensuring that growth pays for growth, preventing residents from footing the bill for large energy users.
Courtney Coolidge, Executive Vice President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, appeared on FOX 10 Talks to debunk prevalent myths concerning data centers and their consumption of Arizona's vital resources. She clarified that the entirety of Arizona's industrial water use, encompassing manufacturing, data centers, and electrical generation, constitutes only 7% of the state's total water consumption, with data centers representing a small fraction within that category.
Coolidge emphasized Arizona's innovative approach to resource management, noting that despite significant population and industrial growth, the state now uses less water than it did in 1957. She asserted that both water and energy challenges are being actively addressed and solved. Regarding energy, the Arizona Corporation Commission, in collaboration with utility partners like APS, SRP, and TE (Tucson Electric Power), has implemented policies mandating that 'growth pays for growth.' This ensures that residents are not financially burdened by the energy demands of large users, including data centers, contradicting public misconceptions.