Improper redaction reveals Google Data Center water and electricity usage

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Nebraska data centers are required to turn in an annual report to Nebraska’s Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, but some state statutes are preventing the public from seeing just how much electricity and water data centers are using.

The Google Data Center in Lincoln, named Agate LLC, claimed their electricity usage and water usage were trade secret information, citing Neb. Rev. State §§ 81-1527; 84-712.05 and NAC TITLE 115, CH. 2. In fact, Google did this for all three data centers, including their sites in Omaha and Papillion.

However, using a computer cursor to highlight the redacted text box in the report to DWEE, then copying and pasting it into a separate document reveals that Agate LLC is reporting 52.65 megawatts of electricity during peak electrical demand and 13.299 megagallons of water between cooling towers, evaporative systems and site operations in the last year. That totals out to 13 million gallons of water.

For context, 13 million gallons is enough to fill around 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, and is less than half of what the City of Lincoln reports using on Sept. 29.

The six data centers reporting as of Sept. 30 show a total use of 765 million gallons of water last year, enough water to fill 1,159.93 Olympic-size swimming pools.

More improper redaction shows that the data center using the most water annually is Fireball Group LLC, the Google Data Center in Papillion. Fireball LLC reports 547.88 megagallons for their 2025 Annual Water Consumption.

10/11 filed a public record request Sept. 30 to see redacted information from Agate LLC’s report.

Further improper redaction reveals exactly how much of a 2025 tax refund Google data centers expect.

Google’s reports state that data centers only “utilize or expect to utilize” sales and use tax exemptions under the Nebraska Advantage Act. Reports state no rebates have been received for that program to date, nor have any incentive payments been received, or are expected to be received under the ImagiNE Nebraska Act.

Agate LLC reports expecting a refund of $55,822,472 from 2025 taxes. Fireball LLC is expecting a refund of $39,171,573.39 from 2025 taxes. Westwood Solutions LLC, the Google-owned data center in Omaha, is expecting a refund of $22,558,881 from 2025 taxes.

Documents submitted by Agate LLC show that the gross floor area is 288,530 square feet - about five football fields.

The Department of Water, Energy, and Environment Data Center Task Force is overseeing the execution of Governor Jim Pillen’s July 20^th Executive Order requiring data centers in the state to self-report their impact on Nebraska’s resources; primarily water, power grids and local infrastructure.

Usage reports are due by Sept. 30. Submitted reports can be read here, simply enter “DCR” into the “DEQ Program” field.

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