Tech giants and green groups negotiate US data centre rules

A coalition of tech giants and environmental groups is negotiating a national framework for data centres, according to a document reviewed by AFP on Nov 5. The talks aim to establish guidelines for the AI-driven industry's energy use, water consumption, and community impact. The "Responsible Data Center Collaborative" includes Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, Nvidia, and Anthropic, alongside the NRDC, WWF, and Sierra Club. Meetings began in September and will run through February 2027, backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, with discussions held under Chatham House rules. Data centres have sparked community anger across the US due to rising power bills, noise, and water use. Voters in dozens of cities approved restrictions or bans on data centres during Nov 3 midterm elections, reflecting bipartisan frustration with the AI boom.