How Aurora and DeKalb are dealing with data centers
Aurora implemented noise regulations after residents persistently complained about data centers like CyrusOne. In contrast, DeKalb approved an Edged data center project, with Meta's existing facility causing no complaints due to prior mitigation. Meanwhile, the cities of Normal and Bloomington have enacted moratoriums to study data center impacts.
The article contrasts how two Illinois cities, Aurora and DeKalb, are managing data center developments amidst varying levels of public concern and regulatory responses. In Aurora, the CyrusOne and CME Group data centers, while compliant with a newly adopted 56 dB daytime noise limit at the property line, have generated persistent noise complaints from residents. Mayor John Laesch and Chief Development Services Officer John Curley explained the city's efforts to enforce both decibel and state-regulated octave band measurements, noting the complexity of mitigating noise, especially from elevated equipment.
Conversely, the city of DeKalb has experienced a smoother integration of hyperscale facilities. Meta's data center, operating since 2022 without noise or pollution complaints, was established before widespread public awareness of data center issues, according to City Manager Bill Nicklas. DeKalb recently approved a project by Edged, a division of Endeavour Energy, which plans to utilize "ThermalWorks" waterless cooling and "TurboCell" generators to address common environmental concerns.
Despite these technological advancements, the Edged project in DeKalb still faced mixed public opinions during its approval, with resident Megan Renwick raising concerns about habitat loss, light, and sound pollution. However, local labor union representative Jake Castanza spoke positively about the economic benefits, including revenue for schools and infrastructure, citing the positive impact of the Meta data center. Meanwhile, nearby municipalities like the Town of Normal and the City of Bloomington have implemented six-month moratoriums on data center development to study their potential impacts, with Normal's Director of Planning and Zoning, Mercy Davison, touring Aurora's facilities for insights.