Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts

Data centers in California are driving increases in electricity use, water demand, and pollution, according to a new report. The report estimates that between 2019 and 2023, electricity use and carbon emissions by California data centers nearly doubled, while on-site water consumption more than doubled. Much of the increases were attributed to the electricity required for artificial intelligence computations. However, the report's estimates are limited by lack of data from the data center industry. Experts say more transparency is needed to understand the resources data centers demand, and California lawmakers have struggled to pass measures that would increase oversight and reporting requirements. The report's authors say California should establish ongoing local monitoring and review of data centers to better assess their environmental impacts.