Proposed crypto data center not on Jersey County Board agenda
An 18-megawatt cryptocurrency data center proposed south of Jerseyville is not on the Jersey County Board agenda, and its building permit remains under administrative review. Nearby residents oppose the project over noise and possible strain on the electrical grid, while officials say the board cannot intervene if the project meets existing requirements.
Something New LLC, a Chicago-based company, has applied for a commercial building permit to construct an 18-megawatt cryptocurrency data center on seven acres south of Jerseyville at 28860 Van Horne Lane. The permit remains pending with the Jersey County Code Administration office and was not placed on the Jersey County Board's agenda because it is undergoing technical and administrative review rather than requiring full board approval.
Nearby residents have raised concerns about continuous noise from cooling fans and high-powered computer equipment, as well as potential electrical-grid strain. Jersey County Board secretary Kelley Ingram and Chairman Mark Wagner said the county generally cannot stop a project that complies with existing rules. The article also notes that the Morgan County Board is preparing to extend a countywide data-center moratorium while it develops noise and infrastructure protections.