New Jersey proposes bill to uncover data centre energy and water use
With energy demand rising, the bill asks how much power and cooling water large data centres in New Jersey really use, and who pays the cost.
New Jersey legislators have introduced a bill requiring data centre operators in the state to disclose their annual energy and water usage publicly. The measure seeks to inject transparency into operations that are notorious for high resource consumption.
The proposed law emerges amidst broader scrutiny of data centres’ environmental footprint. Researchers in the Great Lakes region estimate hyper-scale facilities could use up to 365 million gallons of water yearly for cooling and related systems.
Supporters say the disclosures can help policymakers and communities understand strain on the electric grid and water supplies, especially as data centre growth accelerates. Critics warn that requiring such detailed reporting might discourage investment or create competitive disadvantages.
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