Mayor to council: Get the facts on data centers
Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore has urged the City Council and residents to research data centers, their community impacts, and related issues like water and electricity usage. Although no data center is currently planned for Kewanee, Moore wants the community to be informed should a proposal arise. The council is expected to discuss their findings at a future meeting.
Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore has called upon the City Council to conduct thorough research into data centers and their potential effects on communities. The initiative comes despite there being no current proposals for a data center in or near Kewanee, as Moore aims for the community to be well-informed and prepared should such a development be proposed in the future.
During Monday's City Council meeting, Moore emphasized the need to understand both the positive and negative impacts of data centers, citing their substantial requirements for water for cooling and electricity for operation. Concerns often raised in other communities include strain on municipal water supplies, impact on groundwater, and potential increases in residents' power bills due to the high energy consumption of data centers.
The Mayor encouraged not only council members but also interested Kewanee residents to undertake their own studies on the subject, urging them to gather facts before engaging in public discussions. He anticipates a future council meeting dedicated to sharing these findings and facilitating an informed community response.