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Investors Pressure Big Tech Over Data Center Water, Power Use

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Major investors are increasing pressure on Amazon, Microsoft and Google to disclose more information about the environmental impact of their rapidly expanding data center operations in the United States.

The scrutiny comes as several large-scale data center projects have faced community opposition, forcing companies to reconsider or abandon multibillion-dollar developments. Concerns center on rising electricity demand and water consumption driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Investor groups, including Trillium Asset Management, have filed shareholder resolutions seeking clearer reporting on emissions targets and sustainability strategies. Despite prior commitments—such as Google’s goal to halve emissions by 2030—investors note that emissions have instead increased significantly.

Water usage has become a focal issue. Data centers in North America consumed nearly one trillion liters of water in 2025, raising concerns about local resource strain. While companies are adopting more efficient cooling systems, such as closed-loop technologies, reporting standards vary widely across firms.

Meta Platforms has disclosed partial data showing rising water use, while Microsoft reports aggregate figures without site-level breakdowns. Amazon provides efficiency metrics but not total consumption, and Google’s disclosures omit some third-party facilities.

Investors argue that detailed, site-specific data is essential to evaluate operational risks and environmental impact, particularly in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern.

The pressure reflects a broader shift in how shareholders assess Big Tech, balancing strong growth from AI-driven infrastructure with long-term environmental and regulatory risks. As data center expansion accelerates, transparency and community engagement are becoming critical factors in sustaining that growth.

SLB Expands Nvidia Partnership for AI Energy Infrastructure

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SLB has expanded its partnership with Nvidia to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure and specialized models for the energy sector.

The collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies and reflects increasing demand for AI-driven solutions across the energy industry. Companies are seeking to process vast amounts of geological, production and infrastructure data more efficiently to reduce costs, improve reliability and lower emissions.

Under the new agreement, SLB will serve as a design partner for modular AI data centers built on Nvidia technology. The partnership will also focus on creating an “AI Factory for Energy,” a platform designed to help energy producers and power companies convert complex operational data into actionable insights.

The move comes as oilfield service providers look to diversify their business models amid slowing drilling activity, shifting toward digital services and infrastructure linked to AI growth.

The expanded partnership highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming a central tool in transforming traditional industries, including energy, by improving efficiency and enabling more data-driven decision-making.

Microsoft to Rent Texas Data Center Once Planned for Oracle and OpenAI

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Microsoft has reportedly agreed to lease a major data center project in Texas that had originally been intended for Oracle and OpenAI.

The facility, located in Abilene, represents roughly 700 megawatts of capacity and is positioned near Oracle and OpenAI’s Stargate campus. According to reports, Microsoft reached an agreement with developer Crusoe after Oracle and OpenAI stepped back from earlier discussions over the site.

The development reflects the continued scramble among major technology companies to secure large-scale computing infrastructure for artificial intelligence. Data centers have become critical assets as firms expand generative AI services that require massive processing power.

The reported deal also shows how demand for AI capacity remains strong even as project ownership and financing plans shift between major industry players.