California signs bills forcing data centers to disclose power and water use

The Verge AI · rss · 2026-09-24

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a slate of bills requiring data center operators to start disclosing electricity and water usage next year, giving communities more data — and more say — on how data centers affect utility bills and water supply.

The move follows protests across the US over AI infrastructure straining power grids and local water systems, fueled partly by how opaque actual consumption has been. The Verge notes the disclosure rules won't offer a full picture, but mark a first step toward transparency.

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