City leaders discuss moratorium passed on data centers in Carbondale
The Carbondale City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on data center developments, driven by community concerns over water usage, electricity demand, and pollution. During this period, city staff will research potential impacts and draft new zoning rules for data centers. The decision also considers a potential statewide regulation (POWER Act, SB 4016 and HB 5513) in Illinois.
The Carbondale City Council has implemented a one-year moratorium on data center developments following community concerns voiced in May. Carbondale Director of Community Development John Lenzini stated that this pause allows city staff to research the potential positive and negative impacts of data centers, including long-term jobs and property tax increases, without immediate pressure from developers.
Lenzini will lead the effort to draft new, specific zoning rules for data centers, a process he anticipates will be thorough and potentially require multiple planning commission meetings. This action aligns Carbondale with other US municipalities that have enacted similar moratoriums due to worries about water usage, electrical power demand, and noise/light pollution.
Anthony Henson, a rural energy organizer for the non-profit Prairie Rivers Network, which supports the moratorium, highlighted the strain data centers place on water and electric grids. The organization advocates for community benefits agreements and constraints on data center construction. Henson mentioned that the non-profit hopes for statewide regulation in Illinois through the proposed POWER Act (Senate Bill 4016 and House Bill 5513), a factor Councilperson Nancy Maxwell considered when she voted against the city's moratorium, believing more education and state action were needed. Mayor Caroline Harvey confirmed no developers had approached the city, making the moratorium a proactive measure.