Local opposition hit 45 US data center projects worth $68B in Q2; Huang pushes back on water claims
rohanpaul_ai · x · 2026-09-21
Per Bloomberg, local opposition disrupted 45 US data center projects worth $68B in Q2, down from Q1's record 75 projects and roughly $130B.
Jensen Huang responded that the industry "failed to engage communities early enough," while pushing back on criticism:
- He called water consumption concerns "a myth now": newer data centers no longer use evaporative cooling and evaporate less water in a year than a swimming pool.
- New facilities recycle cooling water, sharply cutting evaporation.
- Operators can also add on-site power generation to address electricity concerns.
Related event: Jensen Huang Dismisses Data Center Water-Use Criticism(3 posts)→
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