California Bills Would Rein in Data Centers’ Energy Use

A series of proposed bills seeks to limit ratepayer increases and ensure data centers report their energy usage and electricity sources.

1 minute read

February 20, 2025, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

DisobeyArt / Adobe Stock

California lawmakers are proposing a series of bills to protect ratepayers from electricity rate hikes prompted by data centers, which use high amounts of energy, reports Khari Johnson for CALmatters. The amount of energy used by data centers has tripled in the last decade and could double or even triple again by 2028, curbing states’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“One measure, from Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan of San Ramon, would require data centers and the developers of large AI models to publicly share how much energy they use. It would also make state energy regulators adopt efficiency standards for data centers.” Another bill would require utilities to create a rate structure specific to data centers, while yet another would incentivize the creation of jobs and zero-emission power sources.

“Just as increased traffic on roads leads to congestion and delays, the addition of large data center loads to the power grid can, in theory, drive up overall electricity demand and exacerbate transmission congestion, said UC Riverside professor Shaolei Ren, who studies the environmental impact of data centers.” Increased greenhouse gas emissions also contribute to higher health care costs and deaths. One study from the California Institute of Technology and UC Riverside estimates that data center emissions could contribute to roughly 1,300 premature deaths by 2030.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 in CALmatters

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

1 hour ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

3 hours ago - The Washington Post

Bird's eye view of studio apartment design.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet

With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

5 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive