Concerns over how much groundwater artificial intelligence data centers could extract prompted the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to adopt an ordinance Tuesday that bans consideration of any new data center development for 45 days. The ban could be extended up to a year. “We all sit on (groundwater sustainability agency) boards, and we know the issues going on and the impact they have on our farming,” Supervisor Larry Micari said. He referred to pumping restrictions in place throughout Tulare County, required under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The ban gives county planners time to alter zoning regulations, which are ill-prepared to consider the water, energy and infrastructure demands of AI data centers that come in a variety of configurations. 

Other data center water use and regulation news:

• ABC15 (Phoenix): Google announces donation for Arizona water restoration project
• My Mother Lode (Sonora, Calif.): Biomass-fueled data center project planned in Amador County
• FOX13 (Salt Lake City): Cox pushes MIDA reforms after data center blowup