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Bill

AB 93

Water resources: data centers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Diane Papan

AB 93 mandates California data centers report water usage and imposes consumption restrictions during drought conditions to address scarcity concerns.

Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
#waterresources #datacenters
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Bill Summary · AB 93

Legislative bill overview

AB 93 establishes water usage reporting requirements and consumption limits for data centers in California. The bill requires data centers to disclose their water consumption data and potentially restricts water use in areas experiencing scarcity or drought conditions.

Why is this important

Data centers consume substantial quantities of water for cooling operations, and California faces persistent water scarcity. This bill addresses transparency and accountability in a high-water-use industry during a period of ongoing drought concerns, potentially influencing where data centers can operate and how they manage resources.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry burden: Data centers argue compliance costs are excessive and may discourage industry investment in California, potentially relocating operations to other states with less regulation
  • Water access fairness: Environmental and agricultural groups debate whether restrictions adequately prioritize residential and farm water needs over commercial tech industry demands
  • Implementation clarity: Disagreement exists over enforcement mechanisms, penalty structures, and how "scarcity" thresholds are defined and measured across different regions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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