… Local fights are flaring over proposed data centers in Kern and Imperial Counties, some of California’s most water-parched regions. The ratcheting up of tension comes as two bills from Assemblymember Diane Papan that would force earlier disclosure of data centers’ projected and actual water use are winding their way through the Legislature, with a first hearing in the Senate scheduled next Tuesday. AB 2469 would require data centers to provide more information on water supply, use and planning before cities or counties can approve new or expanded data centers. AB 2619 would require data centers to report projected and actual water use as a requirement for renewing a local business license. 

Other data center water use news:

• Imperial Valley Press (El Centro, Calif.): Water rights dispute erupts over proposed Imperial Valley data center
• Grist: A solution to data center backlash? Put them in oil fields.
• Water Online: Another massive data center planned — what it means for U.S. water scarcity
• Axios: Blog: Arizona emerges as test case for AI’s energy and water crunch
• The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.): Opinion: Coachella data center pushback should teach us a lesson