The Google Data Center in Lincoln, operating as Agate LLC, reported substantial resource consumption that became publicly visible due to improper redaction in mandatory state reports. According to documents obtained by 10/11 NOW through a public records request submitted September 30, the facility drew 52.65 megawatts of electricity during peak demand periods and consumed 13.299 megagallons of water over the past year for cooling towers, evaporative systems and site operations. This water usage equals approximately 13 million gallons, which the report notes is sufficient to fill around 20 Olympic-size swimming pools and represents less than half of Lincoln's municipal water consumption reported on September 29. The improper redaction technique—highlighting and copying the obscured text—also revealed broader patterns among Nebraska's Google-operated data centers. Six data centers reporting to the state's Department of Water, Energy, and Environment by September 30 collectively used 765 million gallons of water in the previous year. The Papillion facility (Fireball Group LLC) accounted for the largest share at 547.88 megagallons, while the Omaha location (Westwood Solutions LLC) reported additional significant consumption. Beyond resource usage, the inadequately redacted documents disclosed expected tax refunds under state incentive programs: Agate LLC anticipates $55,822,472 from 2025 taxes, Fireball LLC expects $39,171,573.39, and Westwood Solutions LLC projects $22,558,881. The Lincoln facility spans 288,530 square feet of gross floor area, described as equivalent to approximately five football fields. These reports are required under Governor Jim Pillen's July 20 Executive Order, which mandates that data centers self-report their impact on Nebraska's water resources, power grids and local infrastructure. The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment's Data Center Task Force oversees compliance with this reporting requirement, with submissions due annually by September 30 accessible via the agency's DEQ Program field search for 'DCR'.
This image shows the Google data center in Lincoln, Nebraska whose resource consumption was revealed through inadequate redaction in state reports, as discussed in the article.