Decatur “Let’s Talk Data Centers” Event Explores Next Steps for Concerned Community Members
Community members in Decatur, Illinois, gathered for an event to discuss the growing impact of data centers on local water, energy, and environmental health, and how to respond locally and statewide. Discussions included advocating for local moratoria and supporting the POWER Act, state legislation aimed at holding data center developers accountable and protecting ratepayers. The event highlighted concerns about the proposed Broadwing Energy Center, which would supply power to Google's Midwest data centers, and its potential environmental impact on Lake Decatur.
Community members in Decatur, Illinois, convened at the Decatur Public Library for an event titled "Let's Talk Data Centers," focused on the increasing impact of data centers on local resources. The discussion, hosted by Soy City Indivisible and presented by Prairie Rivers Network, Citizens Utility Board, and Illinois People's Action, addressed concerns regarding water supplies, energy demand, utility costs, noise pollution, and environmental health.
Attendees explored strategies for local and statewide responses, including implementing local moratoria and enacting good governance regulations. A key topic was the POWER Act, pending Illinois legislation championed by Governor JB Pritzker, designed to enhance accountability for data center developers and safeguard Illinois ratepayers. Despite not passing in the spring 2026 session, the bill is slated for reconsideration in the fall's legislative veto session.
The event also delved into the connection between AI data centers and the proposed Broadwing Energy Center in Decatur. This center, intended to generate power from gas turbines, would supply electricity to Google's Midwest data center portfolio. Presenters, including Dawn Dannenbring of Illinois People's Action, raised significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding the injection of 90% of the plant's CO2 emissions into the Mt. Simon sandstone formation beneath Lake Decatur, and the substantial water usage from the already stressed lake.
Organizers emphasized a critical need for state leadership to provide communities with protections as data center development accelerates. Soy City Indivisible encouraged residents to contact local elected officials to advocate for a 12-month data center moratorium at both city and county levels, as well as to voice opinions on the Broadwing Energy Center and its carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.