California’s AI Data Centers Taking Growing Environmental Toll

Data centers are the server farms that power the internet. California has the third-most data centers of any state: over 320 sites, with more construction slated for next year. But energy experts are sounding alarms about their impacts on electric grids, water and climate; impacts that are worsening with the explosion of AI. We’ll talk about what data center growth means for the environment — and for ratepayers — and how lawmakers and communities are responding.

Guests:

Molly Taft, senior climate reporter, WIRED; their recent piece is "You're Thinking About AI and Water All Wrong"

Aaron Cantú, staff writer, Capital and Main; his latest piece on this is "The Insatiable Energy Demands of Data Centers Could Increase Fossil Fuel Emissions in California"

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