Bill > SB135

This bill, known as the "Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens," aims to protect residents from increased utility costs and potential shortages caused by data centers, which are defined as centralized repositories for storing and processing electronic data. The bill mandates that data center operators must cover all fair and reasonable electricity costs associated with their operations, requiring separate service terms and conditions from electricity providers to ensure reimbursement for all costs, even if the data center leaves the system. Furthermore, it clarifies that state government cannot prevent local authorities, such as counties and municipalities, from enacting their own rules to limit or regulate data centers. The bill also introduces requirements for data center operators to notify local water providers about their projected water consumption before operating, and these providers must determine if the consumption is compatible with local supply; the operator must then present these determinations to the Board of Water Management, which will issue a public statement if the requirements are met, while still ensuring data centers do not exceed water limits set by the board after prioritizing residential and essential public services. Finally, data center operators must submit semi-annual reports on their water usage to the Board of Water Management, which will make this data publicly available.

Government Affairs

https://sdlegislature.gov/#/Session/Bill/27028