Developers say potential data center near Mahomet won't affect energy or water, but concerns remain
Clean Cloud Energy is in preliminary talks with the Village of Mahomet, Illinois, for a potential data center project, the "Rising Edge Data Center." Developers claim the project will use zero water for cooling and not impact local energy, but environmental groups and the public remain concerned. Champaign County currently has a moratorium on data center development, and a task force is drafting new zoning regulations.
Clean Cloud Energy is in preliminary discussions with the Village of Mahomet, Illinois, regarding a potential hyperscale data center campus, referred to as the Rising Edge Data Center. The proposed site is located in a rural area west of Champaign, within Mahomet's extraterritorial jurisdiction and Champaign County's jurisdiction. Mahomet Mayor Jason Tompkins stated the village is evaluating the proposal for its economic benefits, infrastructure needs, environmental impacts, and effects on residents, emphasizing that no formal proposal has been submitted yet.
The announcement follows a "Resist Data Centers Rally" held by Students for Environmental Concerns at the University of Illinois. Environmental groups, including the Prairie Rivers Network, expressed surprise and concern over the village's exploration, raising questions about potential impacts on the Mahomet Aquifer and the data center's energy source. Clean Cloud Energy CEO Raj Keswani and Director of Development Clark Bixler contend that the project will use a "zero water" closed-loop air-chilled cooling system and will not affect local energy prices or availability, as it would pay for grid upgrades and draw power from beyond the county's current consumption.
Champaign County currently has an enacted moratorium on data center development, set to expire in April, and has established a task force to draft new planning and zoning regulations for such projects. Clean Cloud Energy anticipates the first phase of the Rising Edge Data Center could be online in late 2028, with construction starting in late 2027 or early 2028, pending Ameren's transmission system studies. The company has committed to local hiring and transparent engagement with stakeholders.