As fights about data centers erupt nationwide, California lawmakers have approved a pair of bills to make data center developers disclose how much water they really use. The bills are a new test of whether California will set limits on an industry that’s becoming a flashpoint over water, electricity and the environmental consequences of artificial intelligence.  Lawmakers on Monday cleared Assembly Bill 2469 by Assemblymember Diane Papan, a Democrat from San Mateo. The bill bars local governments from approving new or expanded data centers unless the developer discloses its water plans and covers the full cost of any new water pipes, treatment or storage for the facility. … It’s almost identical to a bill Papan authored last year, which Newsom vetoed amid pressure from the tech industry. 

Other data center water use news:

• Politico: California lawmakers take their big swing on data centers
• The Denver Post (Colo.): As regulators seek data center power rules, critics say Xcel is proposing ‘secret process’ as loophole for some projects
• KJZZ (Phoenix): Mayes calls for a ban on data center development, cites water and energy concerns
• Arizona Mirror: Kris Mayes calls for no new AI data centers as Arizona faces water, power crunch
• KRQE (Albuquerque, N.M.): New Mexico lawmakers hear about data centers and water usage concerns