San Jose Unveils Strict Data Center Rules With $50,000-Per-Megawatt Fee and Potable-Water Cooling Ban

San Jose has rolled out draft rules for data centers and other facilities drawing at least 20 megawatts that would outlaw potable-water cooling, require carbon-neutral power and impose new housing and grid-reliability fees, with City Council votes planned in December that would sweep in projects already moving through the city's planning pipeline.