Concerns Rise Over Data Center Water and Power Usage in Oregon and Arizona
Data centers are under scrutiny for unsustainable water and electricity consumption, prompting regulatory pauses in Arizona. The Dalles community faces challenges from Google's operations, while Arizona's Attorney General calls for a halt to new projects amid resource constraints.
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Data centers in Oregon and Arizona are facing increased scrutiny regarding their consumption of water and electricity. In The Dalles, Google’s facilities are reported to use significant local water resources, with the community's aquifers already under pressure.
Simultaneously, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is advocating for a pause on new data center approvals due to rising electricity costs and a substantial cut in Colorado River water allocation. A 2025 Ceres analysis suggests that planned data centers in the Phoenix area could increase water demand by over 450%. These developments raise concerns about the sustainability of data center operations, especially as cooling methods may contribute to regional temperature increases and additional environmental risks linked to PFAS chemicals.
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