Lockport cancels future data center discussions in light of resident pushback

The City of Lockport, Illinois, has announced the suspension of all future discussions regarding data center development within its Star Innovation District, citing significant resident pushback. This decision follows a highly attended workshop where approximately 200 residents, some having participated in a pre-meeting protest, voiced strong opposition and concerns. Key issues raised included utility costs, power usage, water pollution, noise, wildlife disruption, health impacts, and the perceived lack of adequate federal and state regulatory frameworks.

In response to these concerns, the Lockport City Council stated it would suspend discussions "until clearer regulatory frameworks are established at the state and federal levels." The city also confirmed it would allow its Letter of Intent with VME Developers, which had prevented the sale of the Star Innovation District property for eight months, to expire on May 31. Lockport City Administrator Ben Benson clarified that the community's unwillingness to trust the industry under current regulations was a driving factor in the city's decision.

The city also plans to revisit and update the master plan for the 165-acre former Chevron property in the Star Innovation District, which was approved in 2022. Mayor Steven Streit noted that the definition of "data centers" has significantly changed since the original plan's approval, with current facilities being much larger than previously envisioned. State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) praised Lockport's decision, emphasizing the need for statewide measures like the proposed POWER Act to regulate new data centers in Illinois and address energy, water, and environmental concerns. The local group "Porters Against Data Centers," which rapidly gained over 500 members, expressed satisfaction with the outcome but vowed to continue advocating for a moratorium, followed by an outright ban on data centers in Lockport.