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Ecolab acquired CoolIT for $4.75B to address AI data centers' water consumption using closed-loop cooling technology. Critical infrastructure investment signals data center sustainability costs now shape M&A and operational budgets for enterprises.
U.S. tech committed $850B to data centers in H1 2026; opposition blocked $130B in projects over environmental concerns. Power grid constraints and Trump's mandate for self-generated electricity now redefine AI capex and regional data center scaling feasibility.
AI's data center boom is fueling a growing clash between environmental concerns and U.S. infrastructure ambitions.