Aurora City Council to take up new data center regulation proposals

The Aurora City Council is poised to implement new regulations concerning data centers, with a vote scheduled for tonight. These proposals emerge as a six-month moratorium on new data center projects in Aurora officially expires today. If approved, the new restrictions would take effect immediately and would specifically target new developments, requiring sound studies, compliance with vibration, energy, and water consumption standards, and a commitment to renewable energy generation. Lauren Victory reported that Aurora's Director of Sustainability highlighted the inadequacy of treating data centers like warehouses given their distinct operational requirements, particularly regarding energy and parking. The new mandates would also include compliance with biometric data privacy rules and require operators of new facilities to submit ongoing water use, energy consumption, and noise reports to the city. While Aurora seeks to tighten its grip on data center development, the nearby city of Joliet recently approved the state's largest data center project despite local pushback, anticipating significant job creation and tax revenue. Aurora residents have voiced complaints about a constant hum from existing data centers, but leaders state their options are limited for already established projects, underscoring the focus on future developments.