Essex, Illinois Residents Address Potential Data Center Development Amid Constellation Land Purchase
Constellation Energy acquired 700 acres of land in and around Essex, Illinois, near its Braidwood Clean Energy Center, prompting residents to fear a data center development. An Essex Coalition is proposing new industrial zoning ordinances to the Village Board to mitigate potential impacts like noise and water usage. The Village Board has also issued a formal notice regarding development standards for a proposed data center.
Residents of Essex, Illinois, are expressing concerns following Constellation Energy's acquisition of 700 acres of land in the area. Taylor Gonyer, whose family moved into their home last summer, voiced worries about a potential data center being built in their backyard, especially given their property's premium golf course pricing.
A Freedom of Information Request to the Kankakee County Recorder revealed that Constellation spent approximately $47.5 million on 14 land deals between June 2025 and February 2026. Kylie Rainey, part of the Essex Coalition, a group of concerned residents, highlighted that Essex currently lacks industrial zoning ordinances, making it an "easy target" with few regulations. The coalition has worked with a third-party consultant to draft industrial zoning ordinances, inspired by Kankakee County and Yorkville's data center regulations, and has a petition urging the Village Board to pass these protections to mitigate issues like noise pollution and monitor water usage.
While Constellation has not publicly disclosed its plans for the land, the Essex Village Board appears to be preparing for a data center. Its website issued a formal notice establishing development standards and mitigation requirements for a proposed data center facility within the village. Mohammad Shahidehpour, a professor at Illinois Tech, speculated that Constellation might build a solar farm or partner with tech companies for data centers, leveraging their nearby nuclear units for power. Andrew Rocco, a stock strategist with Zacks Investment Research, also believes Constellation is likely planning a data center, citing the proximity to the Braidwood Clean Energy Center, Illinois's largest nuclear plant, which offers 2,400 MW of carbon-free baseload electricity—an ideal power source for large tech companies.
Constellation's official statement indicated they are seeking to annex land into Essex near the Braidwood Clean Energy Center to strategically market the facility's carbon-free generation to potential future developers. Despite inquiries, the company stated they have no definitive plans since they do not yet have a customer for the site.