Large data centers would send water emergency plans to DEP and towns

Each covered data center’s owner or operator would prepare a water emergency plan and send it to DEP and the town where the center is located. This covers facilities mainly used to store, manage, or process digital data that have or are projected to have a peak electrical load of at least 25 megawatts. It excludes facilities used mainly for a licensed health care provider’s own operations if they do not commercially serve an unaffiliated entity. The owner or operator must certify that the plan fits local, regional, and state emergency response plans. The plan must describe the center and its strategies for limiting operational disruptions; possible measures include other water sources, water-efficient cooling, closed-loop systems, and rainwater or stormwater capture. If the center uses a public water system, the plan must name it and include any water service agreements. If it uses multiple water sources, the plan must show each source’s share of total use. The first plan would be due within 12 months after the act takes effect. Owners or operators would send each update to DEP and the town. DEP would publish plans submitted under the first-plan requirement online within 180 days of receiving them.