{"id":2159270,"date":"2026-09-23T18:22:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T15:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159270"},"modified":"2026-09-23T18:22:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T15:22:57","slug":"data-centers-are-black-boxes-but-california-wants-to-change-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2159270","title":{"rendered":"Data centers are black boxes, but California wants to change that\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"content\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"o1ls910 o1ls91 o1ls90 o1ls92g\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls911\" data-concert=\"tablet_leaderboard\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"o1ls912 o1ls91 o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls913\" data-concert=\"desktop_leaderboard_variable\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<article>\n<div class=\"duet--article--lede duet--page-layout--standard-article\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--standard-lede h9mca10 _1044qiz3\">\n<div class=\"h9mca11 h9mca12\">\n<div 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_11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\">See All <!-- -->AI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE3MA==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1618ekm1 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Science<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE3MA==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0;visibility:hidden\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Science<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/science\">See All <!-- -->Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f1 cbn62f0 cbn62f6 _19wv7tca _19wv7tc9\">Data centers are black boxes, but California wants to change that\u00a0<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fh cbn62fg _19wv7tca _19wv7tc1\">New legislation will finally force data centers to disclose more information about how much water and electricity they use in California.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"h9mca16\">\n<div class=\"h9mca17\">\n<div class=\"h9mca18\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">New legislation will finally force data centers to disclose more information about how much water and electricity they use in California.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"h9mca13 h9mca19\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo21 _29pwo20\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2a _29pwo29\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tca _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6Mjg3\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6393 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Justine Calma<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6Mjg3-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0;visibility:hidden\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Justine Calma\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Justine_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Justine Calma<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">Senior Science Reporter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/justine-calma\">See All by <!-- -->Justine Calma<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw6 g4xafw1 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _19wv7tca\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-23T18:22:57+00:00\">Sep 23, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo2n _29pwo2m _29pwo2w\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2y _29pwo2x\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons _1e9wo7z0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1e9wo7zo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"_1e9wo7z2 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z2 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Share<\/title><\/button><\/li>\n<li>\n<div><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Gift this article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z2 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Gift<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_29pwo223 _29pwo222 _1044qizr _29pwo217\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo21a _29pwo219\">\n<div class=\"o1ls9e o1ls98 o1ls90 o1ls92h\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls9f o1ls99\" 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src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/STKS528_DATA_CENTERS2_B.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qizm _1044qizx\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"STKS528_DATA_CENTERS2_B\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/STKS528_DATA_CENTERS2_B.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb1 _77sxmb0\"><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmb6 _77sxmb5\">Image: Cath Virginia \/ The Verge, Getty Images<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body-container j2p4kx0 _1044qiz3 _1044qiz16\">\n<div class=\"j2p4kx1\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body mebm7x0\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--standard-lede-bottom\">\n<div class=\"h9mca15\">\n<div class=\"waimqt1 waimqt0\">\n<div class=\"_15bq8c60\"><a class=\"_15bq8c61\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/902546\/data-centers-ai-energy-power-grids-controversy\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"_15bq8c62\">Part Of<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_15bq8c63 _1d77m8a0\">All the latest updates on AI data centers<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_15bq8c64\">see all updates <\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_4aoxp30 waimqt6\">\n<div class=\"_4aoxp33\"><a class=\"_4aoxp36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/justine-calma\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Justine Calma\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"_4aoxp34\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Justine_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=96\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_4aoxp35\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><span id=\"follow-author-standard_article_details-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6Mjg3\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6393 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Justine Calma<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6Mjg3-standard_article_details\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0;visibility:hidden\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Justine Calma\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/Justine_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Justine Calma<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/justine-calma\">See All by <!-- -->Justine Calma<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p> <span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _4aoxp37\">is a senior science reporter covering energy and the environment with more than a decade of experience. She is also the host of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.audible.com\/podcast\/Hell-or-High-Water-When-Disaster-Hits-Home\/B0C15QVQLM\"><b>Hell or High Water: When Disaster Hits Home<\/b><\/a>, a podcast from Vox Media and Audible Originals.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"zephr-anchor\" class=\"_1044qiz13\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a slate of bills on Monday that could finally give communities better data \u2014 and more say \u2014 on how data centers impact their electricity bills and water supply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">As data centers invade a growing number of communities across the US, they\u2019ve triggered protests over how the infrastructure underpinning AI might stress power grids and local water systems. That\u2019s fueled partly by concerns about how difficult it is to see just how much electricity or water they\u2019re actually gobbling up. California\u2019s new disclosure rules won\u2019t offer a full picture, but starting next year, data center operators will have to start sharing some of these details. The transparency will help scientists and the public see whether data centers are raising bills, draining dwindling resources, and making good on sustainability commitments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">\u201cIt\u2019s extremely frustrating to try to understand basic information,\u201d says Mark Specht, senior manager for the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of hype about data centers right now \u2026 It doesn\u2019t help that we just don\u2019t have basic facts about what\u2019s happening with them to try to understand how much of a problem they are.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac2 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-pullquote c39lj10\">\n<div class=\"c39lj11\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup c39lj12 _19wv7tc9\">\u201cIt\u2019s extremely frustrating\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The seven bills Newsom signed go beyond requiring disclosures. <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb886\">Senate Bill 886<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab2383\">Assembly Bill 2383<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb1168\">Senate Bill 1168<\/a> direct the California Public Utilities Commission to create separate power rates for data centers to recoup the costs of connecting such power-hungry facilities to the grid. That\u2019s supposed to prevent data centers from passing on the costs to other consumers of new infrastructure built to satisfy their energy demand. On top of that, AB 2383 also pushes data centers to use more renewable energy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The rest of the legislation grapples with the enormous gaps the public has when it comes to how data centers impact surrounding communities and the environment. <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab1577\">AB 1577<\/a> requires monthly reporting on data centers\u2019 energy consumption. <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab2619\">AB 2619<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260ab2469\">AB 2469<\/a> require water disclosures, and the latter also makes data center operators responsible for covering the costs of infrastructure upgrades needed to serve them. And <a href=\"https:\/\/calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org\/bills\/ca_202520260sb887\">SB 887<\/a> eliminates categorical exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act for data centers, ensuring that they\u2019re subject to environmental review.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">\u201cAs scientists, when we went to research state offers in California, I was kind of dismayed by the lack of information that there was to work with. And so I\u2019m happy [AB 1577] passed,\u201d Specht says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Specht co-authored a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucs.org\/resources\/data-centers-california\">fact sheet<\/a> this year on how data centers could impact the power grid and utility rates in California. It describes one scenario where several factors drive up costs for Californians: ballooning electricity demand; a need for expensive new infrastructure to connect data centers to high-voltage transmission systems; and the risk of overbuilding if the AI bubble pops and data centers don\u2019t end up using as much electricity as projected, leaving other utility customers to foot the bill .<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac2 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-pullquote c39lj10\">\n<div class=\"c39lj11\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup c39lj12 _19wv7tc9\">A different scenario shows data centers could actually lower electricity costs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">On the other hand, a different scenario shows data centers could actually lower electricity costs. Electricity rates include fixed costs for grid maintenance, so spreading those costs across more customers can bring bills down for everyone. The catch is that the potential savings depend on data centers contributing to costs across the distribution system that serves smaller customers at lower voltages. Large data centers often avoid these costs by connecting instead to the transmission system, which carries high-voltage electricity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Without more information, it\u2019s impossible to say which scenario is taking shape in California. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say definitively that data centers have increased the cost [of electricity],\u201d Specht says. \u201cIt\u2019s possible they may even have brought them down some already, I just don\u2019t think we have the numbers to demonstrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Even if data centers aren\u2019t having much effect on electricity rates yet, that\u2019s likely to change as their power needs grow, Specht adds \u2014 making it all the more important to see how much energy they\u2019re using. \u201cIt\u2019s just about getting ahead of it before we all start feeling it,\u201d he tells <em>The Verge<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Data centers\u2019 water use has been just as opaque. While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.next10.org\/publications\/data-centers-water-environmental-justice\">studying the impact of data centers on water-stressed communities<\/a> in California, researchers from Santa Clara University recently contacted every water provider in districts housing data centers. Citing privacy regulations, the providers in every district refused to share data on how much water data centers use. The researchers also discovered that very few data centers in the state had environmental impact reports available to the public.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac2 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-pullquote c39lj10\">\n<div class=\"c39lj11\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup c39lj12 _19wv7tc9\">The laws still leave big gaps in what data centers need to report<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">That dearth of information is even more concerning considering what the researchers were able to find. As AI drives the development of hyperscale data centers, these facilities are moving farther from more affluent urban areas into more rural areas where small water systems and lower-income communities may have more difficulty coping with the added demand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The laws still leave big gaps in what data centers need to report. Specifically, AB 2619 and AB 2469 only require companies to make water disclosures when applying for permits or getting a business license, so we won\u2019t know how much water they\u2019re actually using from year to year. The year in which they share their water use could be particularly wet or cool, not necessarily reflecting how much water the facility needs when it\u2019s hotter and drier. It also makes it difficult to see if a data center\u2019s consumption is growing or if a company is following through on its sustainability goals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Still, \u201cThis is in many ways a step in the right direction. It\u2019s signaling to the industry that people are paying attention, that lawmakers are paying attention,\u201d says Iris Stewart-Frey, the lead author of that water report and a professor of environmental science at Santa Clara University.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">She notes that Newsom actually <a href=\"https:\/\/papan.asmdc.org\/press-releases\/20251014-governor-vetoes-papan-bill-track-data-center-water-use\">vetoed<\/a> a similar water disclosure bill last year, but that data centers have become a bigger concern for the public since then.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">\u201cThe whole AI wave is not a force of nature, it\u2019s not a hurricane,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is something that we can actually regulate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--related _1044qizj xfenh40\">\n<h3 class=\"xfenh42 xfenh41\">Related<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"xfenh44\">\n<li class=\"xfenh47 xfenh46\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/997516\/california-governor-newsom-ai-kill-switch\" class=\"xfenh49\">Gavin Newsom is pushing for an AI kill switch<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"xfenh47 xfenh46\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998453\/california-ai-data-center-bills\" class=\"xfenh49\">California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tly2fw0\"><span class=\"tly2fw2\"><strong>Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email 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-->Science<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _1044qiz13 _1csojp80\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0 bpecqn1\">\n<div class=\"bpecqni bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqnn bpecqnm _19wv7tc2 _1p81jqc0\">More in: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/902546\/data-centers-ai-energy-power-grids-controversy\">All the latest updates on AI data centers<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd2 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/999063\/pew-data-center-survey-september-2026\">Americans sour even more on data centers.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepg jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>TC Sottek<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T20:24:37+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd2 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998453\/california-ai-data-center-bills\">California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepg jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-21T20:29:45+00:00\">Sep 21<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd2 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/997573\/virginia-governor-spanberger-data-center-ai-task-force\">Virginia governor creates an AI task force and moves to restrain data centers<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepg jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Lauren Feiner<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-18T18:29:17+00:00\">Sep 18<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--$--><\/p>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--rail noh1q10 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class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw0\">\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Discord will now automatically estimate your age\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/25531732\/STK062_DISCORD_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/999305\/discord-updated-age-assurance-global-rollout\">Discord will now automatically estimate your age<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"San Francisco sues Trump Media for selling early access to Trump posts\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/13102391\/1032340378.jpg.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/998914\/trump-truth-social-api-lawsuit-san-francisco\">San Francisco sues Trump Media for selling early access to Trump posts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Trump says the US is officially renaming AI to \u2018super intelligence\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/videoframe_1949029.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=7.8125%2C0%2C84.375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998816\/donald-trump-ai-super-intelligence\">Trump says the US is officially renaming AI to \u2018super intelligence\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\u2018Trump TV\u2019 is just reruns of the president on YouTube\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2296464785.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.024402147388969%2C100%2C99.951195705222&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/998726\/trump-tv-youtube-livestream\">\u2018Trump TV\u2019 is just reruns of the president on YouTube<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2286055476.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.88876146788991%2C0%2C98.22247706422%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998453\/california-ai-data-center-bills\">California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo1 up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo8 up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/STKB385_PARAMOUNT_B.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.0058823529411782%2C0%2C99.988235294118%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/998302\/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement\">Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw2\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Discord will now automatically estimate your age\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/25531732\/STK062_DISCORD_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Discord will now automatically estimate your age\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/25531732\/STK062_DISCORD_CVIRGINIA_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/999305\/discord-updated-age-assurance-global-rollout\">Discord will now automatically estimate your age<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Jess Weatherbed<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-23T14:27:49+00:00\">2:27 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"San Francisco sues Trump Media for selling early access to Trump posts\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/13102391\/1032340378.jpg.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"San Francisco sues Trump Media for selling early access to Trump posts\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/13102391\/1032340378.jpg.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/998914\/trump-truth-social-api-lawsuit-san-francisco\">San Francisco sues Trump Media for selling early access to Trump posts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Gaby Del Valle<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T17:43:50+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Trump says the US is officially renaming AI to \u2018super intelligence\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/videoframe_1949029.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=21.875%2C0%2C56.25%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Trump says the US is officially renaming AI to \u2018super intelligence\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/videoframe_1949029.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=7.8125%2C0%2C84.375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998816\/donald-trump-ai-super-intelligence\">Trump says the US is officially renaming AI to \u2018super intelligence\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Richard Lawler<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T16:01:10+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\u2018Trump TV\u2019 is just reruns of the president on YouTube\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2296464785.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.650390625%2C0%2C66.69921875%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\u2018Trump TV\u2019 is just reruns of the president on YouTube\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2296464785.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.024402147388969%2C100%2C99.951195705222&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/998726\/trump-tv-youtube-livestream\">\u2018Trump TV\u2019 is just reruns of the president on YouTube<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T13:54:13+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2286055476.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=17.259174311927%2C0%2C65.481651376147%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/09\/gettyimages-2286055476.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.88876146788991%2C0%2C98.22247706422%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/998453\/california-ai-data-center-bills\">California tightens rules on AI data center energy and water use<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-21T20:29:45+00:00\">Sep 21<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/STKB385_PARAMOUNT_B.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.670588235294%2C0%2C66.658823529412%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/02\/STKB385_PARAMOUNT_B.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0.0058823529411782%2C0%2C99.988235294118%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/998302\/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-settlement\">Paramount settles lawsuit blocking $110 billion Warner Bros. merger<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpeph jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _1g89o321 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-21T17:42:15+00:00\">Sep 21<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-linkset _14xz0mv4 _14xz0mv5 _14xz0mva hidden\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mv7\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_14xz0mv8 _14xz0mv9\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div><img data-native-ad-id=\"logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_14xz0mvg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"_14xz0mvj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e3czlx6\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _75r1tr2\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqnj bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqno bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">Top Stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep7 jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T10:00:01+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/cs\/features\/991659\/meta-mark-zuckerberg-future-glasses-ai-instagram\">Can you forget how you feel about Meta?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep7 jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T20:00:00+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/998842\/qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite-extreme-gen-6\">Qualcomm\u2019s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 comes in an Extreme version too<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep7 jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-22T22:26:07+00:00\">Sep 22<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/999056\/paramount-warner-bros-discovery-merger-annual-film-quota-guardrails\">Paramount will need to release way more movies to make this merger work<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep7 jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-23T13:45:00+00:00\">1:45 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/games\/999268\/control-resonant-review-ps5-xbox\">Nobody does it like Remedy<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj4 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep7 jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-23T00:17:17+00:00\">12:17 AM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/999167\/openai-elite-mathematicians-panel\">OpenAI wants to consult elite mathematicians about how to not fumble again<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--\/$--><\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Policy Close Policy Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. 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