Voters in 4 Madison County townships say they don’t want future data center development
Voters in Chouteau, Granite City, Nameoki and Venice townships in Madison County overwhelmingly rejected future data center development in nonbinding advisory measures. The votes do not prohibit projects, including TerraWatt’s proposed 200-megawatt facility at the former Alton Steel site, which would require rezoning and further utility and due-diligence studies.
Residents in four Madison County townships voted overwhelmingly against allowing future data center development, with opposition exceeding 74% in each township and reaching 83.27% in Chouteau Township. The advisory measures were led by Granite City resident Heather Groetecke, who said the results were intended to signal public opposition to local policymakers. The measures are nonbinding and do not create a moratorium.
TerraWatt has announced a contingent agreement to acquire the former Alton Steel site for a planned 200-megawatt data center, potentially opening in 2027 if the property is rezoned and the project passes an Ameren Illinois study and TerraWatt’s due diligence. Other proposals in Granite City, Pontoon Beach, Edwardsville and Troy have drawn mixed reactions over jobs, utility costs, environmental effects and transparency; Granite City officials say their project and similar proposals were tabled.