Commissioners pressed staff on water use, closed‑loop versus evaporative cooling, and grid impacts; staff cited closed‑loop designs that use far less water but may consume more energy and gave the Aurora example of millions of gallons used monthly.

University of Minnesota researchers told the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Development on March 2 that a new AI hub will coordinate research, education and industry partnerships statewide; legislators pressed presenters on job displacement, K–12 access, data centers and whether law should target algorithms or harmful outcomes.

City staff told the board that large data centers can withdraw from tens of millions to more than 1 billion gallons annually depending on size and cooling technology; staff said pretreatment permits, sampling and PFAS monitoring will be used to manage wastewater risks.

The draft forbids evaporative and open‑tower cooling and requires closed‑loop systems with a water‑use effectiveness cap of 0.2 liters per kWh; public commenters urged mandatory pre‑construction hydrological studies, reporting of indirect (embedded) water use and independent audits to protect the Mahomet Aquifer.

Douglas County water officials told residents most data centers use little or no potable water for cooling and described a Google-funded reuse system that uses treated wastewater for cooling without costing the utility or customers.

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Planning staff presented draft ordinances for solar farms and data centers; commissioners raised concerns about regulatory gaps, electric capacity, cooling water handling and environmental safeguards, and scheduled Idaho Power to speak at a future meeting.

Australia is tightening regulations for data centers, demanding self-generated power and alignment with national interests. Simultaneously, a study highlights AI’s growing ability to pierce online anonymity, successfully identifying nearly 70% of users. The U.S. State Department has issued a global caution for American citizens, citing potential threats, particularly in the Middle East. Following scrutiny related to Jeffrey Epstein, FIRST Robotics founder Dean Kamen is resigning from his board position, and Tesla faces an expanded NHTSA probe into its self-driving technology after multiple crashes.

This video explores the significant environmental impact of artificial intelligence, detailing how data centers, model training, and constant operation contribute to massive energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource depletion. We delve into the critical need for 'Green AI' initiatives, including energy-efficient algorithms, hardware optimization, and the adoption of renewable energy sources to mitigate AI's ecological burden. Learn actionable insights for promoting sustainability in the rapidly evolving world of technology. Tools used for generation Text Gemini Narator Azure TTS Clips Pexel Rendering Remotion

Samsung's €1.5 billion acquisition of FläktGroup targets the booming data center cooling market driven by AI and cloud computing. This strategic move positions Samsung for growth in data center efficiency. Learn more! #datacenter #cooling #samsung 2025-05-14T125449.264+0200 Tools used for generation Text Gemini Narator Azure TTS Clips Pexel Rendering Remotion

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: No wonder Google is desperate for more power: The company's data centers more than doubled their electricity use in just four years. The eye-popping...

Researchers and innovators are developing new strategies for addressing data center demand and other new loads on the US electricity grid.

The PJM Interconnection has identified a pressing need for at least 5 gigawatts of load flexibility by 2030 in order to prevent potential blackouts, with some experts suggesting that this requirement could be even higher. Data centers have emerged as a promising solution, offering nearly 100 gigawatts of capacity to absorb new demand without relying on additional power plants, and companies like Google are already investing in demand response programs. However, a proposed voluntary reduction program by PJM has faced significant opposition from major corporations, with some viewing it as a short-term fix for the grid's limitations rather than an efficient long-term solution.

County board prohibits potable water for data centers, promoting wastewater reuse instead.

Data centers face unprecedented energy challenges as demand for AI surges. Learn why efficiency innovations and policy changes are critical to prevent grid collapse. The global energy landscape is app...

Data Center Containment Market is predicted to grow USD 3.43 Billion at a 8.18% CAGR by 2035, Global Data Center Containment Industry Analysis by Cooling System, Deployment Type, Containment Level, A...