Water, Texas and Datacenters
(youtu.be)
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Here's the thing - these data centers only need large amounts of water for cooling (evaporative). They use it because it is cheaper than DX cooling (less electricity).
It would be really easy to pass a law (and Trump has mentioned it - not sure if created yet) requiring these large data centers to produce their own electricity. We should add to that "and not consume local water resources for evap cooling". Problem solved.
People don't realize that it isn't just AI consuming these data centers - It is also local businesses that don't want to pay exorbant "Cloud" pricing. It is also Facebook, Netflix, LinkedIn, your iCloud backup, etc. Data centers aren't "evil" and are a growing requirement in our technological society and growing economy - how we decide to handle them is the question.
That was pretty much on my voter ballot this morning, basically saying in a ballot proposition if should we prohibit the sale or export of TEXAS groundwater or surface water to any public or private entity. Seemed pretty self explanatory, but I really get it now. Thank you