Magistrate warns of data-center water and power impacts in county presentation

A magistrate gave an informational presentation about data centers and their potential local impacts, calling out water usage, electricity consumption and cooling methods required by modern "AI chips." The presenter cited a 2023 national figure: data centers directly consumed about 17,000,000,000 gallons of water, and projected hyperscale demand could grow to roughly 68,000,000,000 gallons annually by 2028.

The presenter expressed concern that utilities and regulators may favor large industry and that if a data center had to build a dedicated generation asset to supply power, it might deter other industry. "The public service commission, they're not for me and you. They're for big business," the presenter said, urging the public to research regulatory and siting implications. The court heard the briefing as background as members weigh future economic-development inquiries.