Data centers power our digital lives. What do they cost Illinois communities?
Aurora, Illinois, enacted new regulations for data centers after a 180-day moratorium, prompted by public concern. These regulations include conditional use zoning, water and energy studies, and noise limits. Statewide legislation is also proposed to track resource consumption and manage electricity costs related to data centers.
An expert panel discussion, "Data Centers: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," was hosted by groups including We Can Lead Change – Fox Valley, Fox Valley Rising Indivisible, and the Sierra Club at Elgin Community College, drawing 300 attendees to address the impact of data centers on Illinois communities.
Aurora Sustainability Director Alison Lindburg detailed her city's proactive approach. Aurora, home to five data centers, implemented a 180-day moratorium on new data center construction, allowing staff to develop comprehensive regulations. These new ordinances, passed on March 24, include conditional use zoning requiring public hearings, water and energy studies, day and nighttime noise limits, vibration controls, and explicit prohibitions on nuclear energy and evaporative water cooling systems for data centers.
Panelists also highlighted broader concerns. Matt Harvey of the Citizens Utility Board discussed the significant strain data centers place on electricity grids and consumer costs, noting a 24% increase in ComEd territory electric costs partly attributed to data centers. He mentioned proposed state legislation, including Senate Bill 2181 (Illinois Data Center Energy and Water Reporting Act) and Senate Bill 4016/House Bill 5513 (POWER Act), aimed at tracking resource consumption and ensuring data centers bear their fair share of utility costs. Cooling systems expert Don Johnson also warned of environmental impacts, such as large columns of heated air discharged by some facilities.
Former Illinois state representative and attorney Steve Andersson advised other municipalities to follow Aurora's example by implementing special and conditional use zoning. He stressed the importance of proactive regulation to prevent data centers from being permitted by right, encouraging communities to use tools like annexation to maintain control over development.