{"id":85459,"date":"2026-02-11T21:03:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T00:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/891560071"},"modified":"2026-02-11T21:03:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T00:03:36","slug":"how-ca-water-management-shows-tension-between-tech-growth-and-the-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/11\/how-ca-water-management-shows-tension-between-tech-growth-and-the-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"How CA water management shows tension between tech growth and the environment"},"content":{"rendered":"

A large data center can consume more water in a day<\/a> than a city the size of San Luis Obispo, according to a report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute<\/a>. The California legislature passed a bill this year that would have required data centers<\/a> in California to report their water usage on business reports.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill, AB 93<\/a>, last year because of the \u201cunprecedented demand for data center capacity\u201d due to artificial intelligence. Newsom seemingly sided with tech innovation, but legislators say a bill like this would have provided more localities with necessary information to protect water sources.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis bill really represents the inflection point between innovation and sustainability,\u201d said Diane Papan, the state assembly member who authored the bill. \u201cI was really trying to reach that balance, especially when you\u2019re talking about a resource like water. You can\u2019t generate more water.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Waymos driving through the streets and tech giant headquarters on every corner, California\u2019s Bay Area is seen as a place for innovation. This innovation often comes to a head with environmental issues, according to Papan, who represents most of San Mateo County.<\/p>\n