Gov. JB Pritzker weighs data center development with state natural resources
Governor JB Pritzker has emphasized the need for more regulations on data centers in Illinois, citing concerns about natural resources and energy demand. This comes as the Town of Normal and Logan County have enacted data center moratoriums, with Bloomington scheduled to draft one.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently commented on the ongoing discussions surrounding data center development in the state, particularly in Central Illinois. During a visit to the Rivian plant, Governor Pritzker highlighted Illinois's natural resources, such as water, as a key factor attracting businesses, but also acknowledged rational concerns regarding new data center construction. He emphasized the national need for increased energy sources, including solar and nuclear, to meet the demands of energy-intensive businesses like data centers, reiterating his past stance that data centers should cover their own energy costs.
The Governor's remarks coincide with significant local actions concerning data center development. The Town of Normal has unanimously passed a moratorium on new data centers, effective until November 30. Similarly, Logan County has enacted a 12-month moratorium on data center construction. Bloomington is also in the process of drafting its own moratorium, with a scheduled discussion at its next meeting on May 25. These local initiatives underscore a regional trend of assessing and potentially restricting data center expansion amidst broader state-level discussions on regulation and resource management.