McLean County water capacity is a fluid conversation for data centers
McLean County is grappling with significant water capacity concerns regarding potential data center developments, as experts highlight a lack of transparency from data centers on their water usage. Local communities struggle to plan effectively without clear data, leading to calls for stricter regulations and ongoing public engagement on the issue.
Policymakers and residents in Bloomington-Normal and McLean County, Illinois, are engaged in a complex discussion about the water capacity required for future data center projects and the regulations needed to manage them.
Joao Ferreira, acting director of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies at the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, highlighted the difficulty in assessing data center water needs due to a lack of transparency, with many facilities not required to disclose their water consumption. Brad Tietz, director of government affairs for the Data Center Coalition, noted that while Illinois has a Water Use Act requiring reporting for large withdrawals, it doesn't apply to water utilities, which can obscure data center usage. The DCC advocates for amending this act to include all large water users and supported HB-2391, which allows data centers to use treated wastewater for cooling.
Experts like Lauren Keeler, associate professor at Arizona State University, noted that data centers often purchase water at municipal rates, potentially straining community resources and leading to increased utility costs for all ratepayers. Andrew Rehn, climate policy director at Prairie Rivers Network, emphasized the need for communities to plan for water resources, considering drought scenarios and the lack of transparency regarding specific data center cooling systems. Rehn serves on Champaign County's Data Center Activities Task Force, which is examining issues and recommending regulations, drawing inspiration from ordinances in Aurora, Illinois, and focusing on protecting vital water sources like the Mahomet Aquifer.
Peggy Keylin, a member of Illinois People's Action, voiced public concerns about the future and the privatization of public water resources by corporations. She praised McLean County officials for listening to public input, which resulted in the drafting of a significantly stronger zoning ordinance for data centers, described as the strictest in the state.