Aurora to hold hearing on proposed data center restrictions

The Aurora City Council is scheduled to vote on new, stringent regulations for data center development, following the expiration of a six-month moratorium today. The proposed rules would require new projects to conduct sound studies and comply with specific standards for vibration, energy use, and water consumption. Additionally, developers would need to incorporate renewable energy generation and adhere to biometric data privacy rules. Post-construction, operators would be mandated to submit ongoing water use, energy consumption, and noise reports to the city. Aurora's Director of Sustainability highlighted the current inadequacy of treating data centers like warehouses, given their distinct operational demands for energy, parking, and other factors. Residents of Aurora have expressed concerns about the constant humming noise from existing data centers, with leaders acknowledging limitations on retroactively addressing established projects. The focus of tonight's vote is solely on future developments. In contrast to Aurora's restrictive approach, the neighboring city of Joliet recently approved the construction of the state's largest data center, despite resident opposition. Joliet officials anticipate this project will generate 7,000 to 10,000 construction jobs and contribute an estimated $2 billion in tax revenue.