AI Data Centers, High Speed Rail, and Water: The Politics of Selling the Valley’s Most Precious Resource

On this episode of Fresnolandia, hosts Danielle and Jordan sit down with the veteran journalist Lois Henry, founder of SJV Water, to untangle the high-stakes debate over AI data centers and water in California’s Central Valley. As high-speed rail leaders float the idea of building energy-intensive data hubs along the route, Lois breaks down what millions of gallons of daily water use really means in acre-feet, how farmland retirement under SGMA could reshape water markets, and why Silicon Valley’s deep pockets could upend long-standing local politics. Together, they explore the possibilities, trade-offs, and power struggles that emerge when Big Tech collides with agriculture, disadvantaged communities, and the region’s fragile water system.

This episode of Fresnolandia is sponsored by the San Joaquin Valley Housing Collaborative. Learn more about the organization and register for their two-day housing summit at: https://sjvhc.org/news-events/