Investors press Amazon, Microsoft and Google on water, power use in US data centers

More than a dozen investors filed shareholder resolutions against Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet's Google demanding granular data on water consumption and conservation at U.S. data centers amid surging AI workloads. Trillium Asset Management targeted Google's climate goal alignment given energy demands, while Green Century Capital eyed Nvidia resolutions to balance AI gains against climate risks. Community opposition already forced cancellations of multibillion-dollar facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

North American data centers consumed nearly 1 trillion liters of water in 2025—equivalent to New York City's annual needs—per Mordor Intelligence, with hyperscalers accounting for much of the surge. Meta's usage rose 51% to 5,637 megaliters through 2024, enough for 13,000 homes yearly, though reports exclude leased or under-construction sites. Google, Amazon and Microsoft vary in transparency, with site-specific breakdowns absent despite closed-loop cooling transitions.

AI training requires constant cooling, amplifying strain in drought-prone regions like Arizona and Virginia where 38 active hyperscaler centers operate plus 24 planned. Amazon sought 48% water hikes at Spanish sites amid heat waves, while Google's U.S. builds favor arid zones. Electricity demand—projected 2.6 gigawatts in Wisconsin alone by 2030—prompts peaker plant revivals and gas deals despite renewables pledges.

Tech giants signed Trump's AI energy pledge committing to new generation without consumer cost pass-throughs, including nuclear restarts and behind-the-meter nuclear like Amazon's Talen acquisition. Microsoft turned to gas in Wisconsin, Meta to turbines in Louisiana as wind/solar lag grid queues. Xcel powers Google's Minnesota site with 1,900 megawatts clean additions funded by Google.

Investors seek accountability as expansions risk utility bills and fossil reliance. Amazon pledges "good neighbor" efficiencies and site disclosures, while Microsoft launched power/water curbs. Resolutions precede spring meetings, testing 2030 water-positive targets against 8% annual growth.