US Heat Waves Trigger Concerns about Data Center Energy Consumption
A severe heatwave stretching across much of the U.S. is placing extraordinary pressure on electricity networks and water resources, intensifying concerns about the country’s accelerating construction of artificial intelligence data centers. The current spell of extreme weather arrives as the U.S. invests heavily in thousands of new facilities designed to power advanced AI systems. However, policymakers, utility companies, and regulators have repeatedly warned that the rapid pace of development is exceeding upgrades to water systems and electrical grids. Lawmakers are increasingly questioning the growth of these facilities. During a campaign appearance this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott proposed prohibiting new…