Joint B-N data center forum to include a mix of environmental, energy and policy experts

The City of Bloomington and Town of Normal are preparing to host a joint forum on data centers on August 26th, as they navigate dual moratoriums on new data center projects. These moratoriums were enacted to provide both municipalities sufficient time to develop comprehensive regulations for hyper-scale data centers, defined as those consuming five or more megawatts of power. The public event, held at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, will feature a diverse panel of experts.

The forum will be moderated by Susan Saunders and include speakers such as Michael Brown, executive director of the Ecology Action Center; Andrew Rehn, director of climate policy for Prairie Rivers Network, focusing on water resources and energy policy; and Scott Allen, an energy policy specialist for the Citizen’s Utility Board. Additionally, Brad Tietz, director of government affairs in the Midwest for the Data Center Coalition, will participate, bringing his expertise on Illinois data center tax incentives. Adam Zellner, president of Greener by Design, an energy consulting firm, and Matthew Rasche, assessor of Naperville Township, will also be panelists.

The public will have further opportunities for input at two Bloomington Planning Commission hearings on October 1st and November 5th, where data center regulations will be discussed. This initiative follows a recent decision by Naperville's City Council to reject a 36MW data center proposal from Karis Critical in January.