NYTIMES (Scott Dance) - More Companies Are Promising Cloud Seeding Can Make Rain
States are spending millions of dollars on cloud seeding technology, backed by new data on its effectiveness — and driven by desperation for water.
AXIOS (Herb Scribner) - The data center fight is hitting a fever pitch. Here's how they actually work
Data centers have become the face of AI backlash, with celebrities, politicians and protesters pushing to slow their growth. Why it matters: America's sharply rising public opposition to data centers — which fuel our everyday use of the internet — could pose an existential threat to AI's growth. State of play: There are at least 4,000 data centers nationwide, with some 3,000 under construction or planned. - The centers are often big, windowless warehouses with few people in sight, and many are developed in secrecy . Driving the news: Data centers have become a focus of anti-AI sentiment, with 70% of Americans opposing their construction. - Former NFL star Jason Kelce announced a partnership between his Garage beer company and…
AXIOS (Jim VandeHei) - Behind the Curtain: The new existential threat to AI
Forget energy. Forget chips. Forget China. The most clear and present danger to AI and any AI-related economic boom is rapidly rising public opposition to U.S. data centers. Why it matters: Republicans and AI CEOs are in full panic mode watching politicians and the public turn on the physical engines of AI growth. In private, they tell us they can't find a compelling message to shift opinion fast enough. Their nightmare — a political and economic daisy chain that cripples the AI revolution — is already taking shape: - Voters revolt against data centers over electricity bills, water use, giant warehouse-like developments and fears about AI eliminating jobs. - Democrats race to capitalize, competing to impose tougher restrictions or…
AXIOS (Amy Harder) - UN's renewable-powered AI goal meets physical reality
Data: International Energy Agency ; Note: In terrawatt-hours; Chart: Amy Harder/Axios A recent United Nations call to power data centers with renewable energy highlights a central tension in the AI boom: Renewables are rising, but so is reliance on fossil fuels. Why it matters: Electricity demand for data centers is projected to at least double in the next four years, and where that power comes from will influence investments — and the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions. Driving the news: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all data centers to be powered by renewable energy by 2030, along with being more transparent on their energy, water and land impacts. Reality check: Most energy analysts say the UN's…
AXIOS (Amy Harder) - AI boom puts Big Tech's transparency to the test
After years of touting ambitious climate goals, big tech companies are now facing new scrutiny over what they disclose about AI's environmental footprint. Why it matters: The AI boom is turning a handful of tech companies into defining players in the debate over electricity and water use. Their willingness to disclose these impacts is becoming almost as important as the impacts themselves. Driving the news: New environmental reports from Google , Amazon and Microsoft show emissions and water use continuing to rise as AI infrastructure expands — while revealing differences in what the companies disclose. - "There is a bit of a reluctance to share a lot of things in this competitive dynamic and also with these being public companies,"…
AXIOS (Amy Harder) - Microsoft's AI boom collides with its climate goals
Microsoft's latest environmental report shows the growing tension between its race to build AI infrastructure and its long-standing climate commitments. Why it matters: The report mirrors recent disclosures from Google and Amazon , whose emissions and resource use have also climbed alongside AI growth. Driving the news: Like its tech peers, Microsoft's environmental impact indicators largely continued moving upward. - Its total greenhouse gas emissions are up 25%, fueled by both its growth in digital infrastructure, especially AI, and changes to the company's electricity procurement strategy. - The company said a key measure of data-center water-use efficiency improved 25% from its 2022 baseline, putting it on track toward a goal of…
AXIOS (Amy Harder) - Water joins energy as top AI flashpoint
Water is fast becoming one of the defining fights around the AI buildout. Why it matters: After spending much of the past year defending data centers' electricity demands, major tech companies driving the AI boom are increasingly making the case that their water use is manageable too. Driving the news: Over the past several weeks, Google , Amazon and Microsoft have each launched new efforts to explain and justify the water use of their AI infrastructure, highlighting measures such as water replenishment projects, recycled-water use and new cooling technologies. - Nvidia — the world's dominant AI chip maker — claimed this week that water concerns could be largely addressed by its latest generation of technology. What they're…
NEWSNATIONNOW (Will Conybeare) - Water use to fight LA warehouse fire weakening walls
Firefighters said crews utilized a “large amount of water” after a day of both ground and aerial suppression efforts.
AXIOS (Amy Harder) - Amazon touts water savings amid data center pushback
Amazon says its data centers use water more efficiently than the industry average and is urging others to improve as scrutiny of data centers intensifies. Why it matters: Water use has emerged as one of the biggest pressure points in the AI data center buildout, pushing companies like Amazon to publicly defend their efforts. Driving the news: Amazon revealed Thursday it was 75% of the way toward its 2030 goal — first set in 2022 — to replenish more water into communities with its data centers than it's consuming. - The tech giant also said its data centers are seven times more water-efficient than the industry average. Friction point: Roughly 70% of Americans oppose building data centers in their communities, with water use for…
JUSTTHENEWS (The Center Square Staff) - Virginia proposals could alter taxation of data centers
The proposals span multiple policy areas, including tax exemptions, utility cost recovery, water use disclosures, environmental monitoring, and land use authority.