Driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy, Microsoft is internally projecting that water use at its data centers will more than double by 2030 from 2020, including in places that face shortages.

Despite many proposals, there is little consensus among governors, lawmakers and tech executives about exactly how much the companies behind data centers should pay for electricity.

© Scott Ball for The New York Times

The tech giant is responding to concerns that data centers are driving up electricity costs in some communities.

© Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The tech giant is responding to concerns that data centers are driving up electricity costs in some communities.