An ELI and Network for Digital Economy and Environment (nDEE) Public Webinar
Demand for data centers is surging, and with it, concerns about their impact on water resources. A single data center can consume an average of over 300,000 gallons of water each day for cooling, which is equivalent to water use in 1,000 homes. New facilities are being built at unprecedented scale to accommodate AI’s computing demands, and many are popping up in regions already facing high levels of water stress. These trends raise serious questions and concerns about long-term water availability, infrastructure resilience, and the communities living alongside these operations.
This webinar will bring together experts to explore how data centers use water and the policy strategies available to manage their growing footprint. How much water do data centers really consume? What cooling methods are used, and what options exist for water-efficient cooling? What are the legal, policy, and research tools needed to manage growing water use and ensure responsible infrastructure planning?
Join the Environmental Law Institute and the Network for the Digital Economy and Environment for a timely conversation with leading experts to discuss these questions and many more!
Panelists:
Tim Mealey, Co-founder and Advisor, Network for the Digital Economy and Environment, Moderator
Landon Marston, Associate Professor, Virginia Tech
Oliver Browne, California Regional Director, WestWater Research
Sarah Houston, Executive Director, Protect Our Aquifer
Materials:
The public will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted within 3-5 business days) as well as any speaker materials.