'What Happens If The Data Center Fails?': Morgan Griffith Questions Chamber Of Commerce VP

Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) questioned Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, during a House Energy Committee Hearing. The discussion centered on water rates, water use agreements, and infrastructure costs for data centers, particularly in the context of draft legislation. Congressman Griffith emphasized the need for local decision-making regarding water access, asserting that the specific circumstances of each location would dictate the terms of agreements between large water users, such as data centers, and local utilities.

Bradley confirmed that local agreements typically govern expected uses, costs, and necessary infrastructure investments for large-scale water users. Both acknowledged the promise of water recycling, with Griffith noting Google's efforts to replenish 78% of its freshwater consumption, including through wetland creation, and its goal of 120%. They also discussed the financial implications of recovering infrastructure costs from data centers for water system bond underwriting, with Bradley suggesting guaranteed revenue sources could improve financing potential.

A key concern raised was the impact if a data center or other large water consumer fails. Bradley suggested that underlying agreements could address such issues, or rights might transfer to new asset owners, noting that water access is a valuable commodity. Separately, Griffith asked about improving technical assistance training for rural water system employees as part of the draft Safe Drinking Water Act. A representative (Secretary Moore, though his full title or agency was not specified in the transcript) indicated that fully funding state programs and supporting organizations like RCAP and the Rural Water Association would enhance such assistance.