CyrusOne data center approved in Sangamon County, Illinois; local official discusses AI and water use
A CyrusOne data center has been approved for construction in Sangamon County, Illinois. Ryan McCrady of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance discussed the project, addressing misinformation about data center water usage and the role of AI in driving demand. He clarified that modern data centers use closed-loop cooling systems, conserving water.
Ryan McCrady, CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, discussed the recent approval of a new CyrusOne data center in Sangamon County, Illinois, during an interview on the WTAX Morning Newswatch. McCrady addressed common misconceptions surrounding data centers, specifically tackling the widespread misinformation about their water consumption.
He clarified that modern facilities, including the approved CyrusOne project, employ closed-loop cooling systems where the same water is circulated for up to a decade, minimizing environmental exposure and contamination risks. McCrady also emphasized the pervasive use of data centers in daily life, from electronic transactions to online communication, and noted that while AI is accelerating data center construction, the boom was already underway. He encouraged people to adapt to AI as a tool, akin to past technological shifts like the internet, to enhance their skills and value in the evolving job market.