From national estimate to site decision

Local Evidence Checklist

A national projection cannot settle a site decision. Use this checklist to turn a broad claim into specific evidence requests.

Water supply and quantity

What water, how much, and when?

Cooling technology and operating schedule
Source water: utility, river, groundwater, reclaimed water, or a mix
Peak and annual withdrawal volumes
Peak and annual consumption volumes
Seasonal demand compared with drought and low-flow conditions
Additional water infrastructure, who pays for it, and any special rates or discounts

Discharge and water quality

What returns to the environment?

Blowdown volume, chemistry, and treatment
Discharge temperature and timing
Salts, corrosion inhibitors, treatment chemicals, and other constituents
Permit limits, monitoring frequency, and compliance plan
Destination: sewer system, surface water, reuse, or another pathway

Energy and indirect water

Where does electricity come from?

Hourly and annual electricity demand
Grid mix and contracted power sources
Water intensity of electricity generation
Server utilization and efficiency assumptions
Plans for demand growth or equipment changes

Watershed and community

Who and what shares the water?

Receiving-water flow, temperature, chemistry, and ecological sensitivity
Drinking-water intakes and competing users
Cumulative effects with other facilities
Public reporting and response plans for drought or permit exceedance
Who receives benefits and who bears water risks

Professor Wen’s water-scientist lens: The most useful missing input is one that could change the recommendation. Name it, explain why it matters, and state how officials could obtain it.

Community-question source: This checklist is informed by the AAAS EPI Center, GovAI Coalition, and National League of Cities guide (2026). The guide helps frame questions but is not a peer-reviewed study and does not establish a local impact.