Data Centers, Water Use and the Great Lakes Compact

As interest in data centers continues to grow across the Great Lakes region, questions about water use, review standards, the role of the Great Lakes Compact, and the importance of its terms continue to shape public discussion. Held on May 26, 2026, this free webinar provided a practical, nonpartisan conversation about data center developers' perspectives, stakeholder concerns, the challenges States face, and the relevance of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact
 
Peter Annin, author of The Great Lakes Water Wars and Executive Director of the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research, moderated this free panel discussion with experts from Alliance for the Great Lakes, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, Microsoft Corporation, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  
 

Whether you work in government, policy, media, industry, advocacy, or regional planning, this recording will help you better understand the water policy context surrounding data center development in the Great Lakes watershed.
 
Topic: Data Centers, Water Use and the Great Lakes Compact
Format: Panel discussion and live audience Q&A moderated by Peter Annin
Date: Tuesday, May 26, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Webinar

The panelists were: 

• Adam Freihoefer, Water Use Section Manager, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Peter Johnson, Deputy Director, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers and Secretary, Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact
• Jonathan Noble, Senior Director, Infrastructure Government Affairs, Microsoft Corporation
• Helena Volzer, Senior Source Water Policy Manager, Alliance for the Great Lakes

 
About the program:
Although this program was hosted by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP), Peter Annin maintained editorial control over the webinar discussion and did not provide panelists with questions in advance. Neither GSGP nor the Great Lakes Compact Council influenced the discussion content. This program was intended as a nonpartisan, non-advocacy forum for elected officials, government agencies, news media, and interested stakeholders. The panel discussion portion of the webinar was recorded and made available publicly; the live audience Q&A session is not shared publicly.