Bill > AB93

This bill introduces new requirements for data centers regarding water use reporting when applying for business licenses. Specifically, data centers (defined as rooms or portions of rooms primarily housing information technology equipment with a load greater than 10 kilowatts and 20 watts per square foot) must provide their water supplier with an estimate of expected water use before obtaining an initial business license, and self-certify under penalty of perjury that they have done so. When renewing a business license, data centers must similarly self-certify that they have provided their water supplier with a report of annual water use. The bill also authorizes the Department of Water Resources to develop efficiency standards by identifying different tiers of data centers based on water consumption factors. The legislation recognizes the growing water and energy demands of data center operations and aims to align these operations with California's sustainability goals. The bill applies to both city and county business licenses and is considered a matter of statewide concern, meaning it applies to all cities, including charter cities. Importantly, the bill does not require local agencies to be reimbursed for implementing these new requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB93