{"slug": "microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage", "title": "Microsoft backing measure protecting consumers over data center water usage costs", "summary": "Microsoft is backing the Water Cost Accountability Act, which would prevent data centers from passing water usage costs to consumers, as the company seeks to address community concerns about AI infrastructure. The legislation would direct states to block public water systems from recovering costs associated with connecting data centers from ratepayers.", "body_md": "Microsoft is throwing its support behind legislation that would prevent data centers from passing along water usage costs to consumers, as tech companies seek to allay community concerns about the AI infrastructure. The Water Cost Accountability Act would direct states to block public water systems from recovering costs associated with connecting data centers from anyone…", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage", "canonical_source": "https://thehill.com/policy/technology/6069491-microsoft-supports-data-center-water-cost-measure/", "published_at": "2026-09-03 17:23:03+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-09-03 17:55:22.809411+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-infrastructure", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["Microsoft", "Water Cost Accountability Act"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/microsoft-backing-measure-protecting-consumers-over-data-center-water-usage.jsonld"}}