[ChuckMcM]

It uses fractional water resources, which from a substitution value in California at least, is a net 'savings'. Should we ever get to a point where power is massively abundant (fusion) the water use will be a factor as it is easier to transport electrons that desalinated water.

[sitkack]

I an industrial setting, one could use a light pipe during the day augmented by LEDs on either side. In a near hermetic environment pests could be kept under control w/o chemicals.

[ChuckMcM]

Light pipes, like green houses, have an issue that the light source is blocked by the first plant it hits :-). The thing the article calls out that is different is that by using these thin GE grow LEDs they were able to have stacks and stacks of grow rows in a relatively small space.

That said, I would not be surprised to see some farmers in the central valley move to more green houses given their water rationing.