Gov. JB Pritzker weighs data center development with state natural resources
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker weighed in on data center development, emphasizing the need for more regulations to balance the industry's growth with the state's natural resources. This discussion comes as Logan County and Normal have enacted moratoriums on data center construction, with Bloomington also planning to draft one.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently commented on data center development across the state, highlighting the need for increased regulations to manage their impact on natural resources. During a visit to the Rivian plant, Governor Pritzker acknowledged Illinois's abundance of natural resources, particularly water, which makes the Midwest an attractive location for businesses, including data centers.
The Governor stated that it is rational to be concerned about the construction of new data centers and emphasized the importance of ensuring these facilities pay for their own energy costs. He also noted a national need for more energy sources like solar and nuclear to meet the growing demand from energy-intensive businesses, such as data centers, particularly with the rise of AI-driven technologies.
Pritzker underscored the significant role data centers play in the evolving AI-driven society, acknowledging that the demand for technology will continue to increase. His comments come amid local actions, with Logan County and the city of Normal having already passed moratoriums on data center construction. Additionally, the city of Bloomington is scheduled to draft a similar moratorium for consideration at its next meeting in May.