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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.

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.

Microsoft Warns Data Center Growth Needs Community Trust

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Microsoft President Brad Smith said gaining the trust of local communities has become essential for building data centers in the United States, as public opposition to such projects increases.

The rapid expansion of data centers, driven largely by demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services, is placing pressure on energy infrastructure and raising electricity costs. This has led to growing concerns among residents about environmental impact, water usage and pollution.

Smith emphasized that technology companies must secure and maintain community support to move forward with new developments. Without local approval, projects risk delays or cancellation.

In recent months, several proposed data center projects in regions across the Midwest and Northeast have been halted due to community resistance, highlighting the rising tension between infrastructure growth and local concerns.

The issue reflects a broader challenge for the tech industry as it scales up AI and cloud capacity while balancing environmental and social considerations.