Support a new Data Center Electricity Use Tax for California

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you to craft legislation that follows Virginia's example for a new $600 million electricity-use tax on data centers. To go further, this legislation must set minimum standards for pollution - noise, air and water, and make the owners responsible for fixing any problems. For example, the companies have collected nearly $2 billion in annual sales tax breaks for 15 years, and Dominion Energy projects will consume over half its electricity sales by 2035. Making them pay their share of the grid they're overwhelming is basic fairness. The tax alone isn't enough, though. Data center diesel generators in northern Virginia have already produced pollution surpassing a natural gas plant! Virginia Commonwealth University research shows total permitted emissions from those generators are 10 to 20 times current levels — meaning the worst is still ahead. The budget study panel needs to produce real recommendations, and I expect you to push for strong regulations in the state house, including limits on generator hours and rules covering existing facilities, not just new ones. Thank you.