California Legislature passes data center water bill. Will Newsom veto again?
The California Legislature has passed AB 2619, a bill requiring data centers to report annual water consumption, sending it to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. This follows Newsom's veto of a similar bill last year, with Assemblymember Diane Papan reintroducing the measure to address growing concerns about water usage by data centers in the state. Another related bill, AB 2469, which mandates projected water demand information before new data center approvals, is still progressing through the Legislature.
The California Legislature has successfully passed Assembly Bill 2619, which mandates that data centers annually report their water consumption. The measure, championed by Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, has now been sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature or veto. Newsom had previously vetoed a similar data center water disclosure bill, AB 93, last year, citing concerns about imposing rigid reporting requirements without fully understanding the impact on businesses.
Papan argues that the need for such legislation has intensified due to expanding data center development and increased public concern regarding water use. She emphasized the importance of measuring water consumption for effective management and future planning in California, particularly for local water suppliers who must accommodate large, long-term customers like data centers.
While supporters highlight the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of data center water usage for planning, opponents, including the Data Center Coalition, contend that existing state laws already provide adequate information to local water agencies. They argue that additional reporting requirements would create unnecessary burdens on the industry and potentially hinder future investment in the state, making California less competitive. Papan refutes claims that the bill unfairly targets data centers, stressing that greater transparency is crucial for communities to plan for significant water demands. The fate of AB 2619 now rests with Governor Newsom, while a companion bill, AB 2469, which would require projected water demand information before new data centers are approved, continues to move through the legislative process.