City of Bloomington lays out general timeline for data center moratorium
The City of Bloomington has enacted a six-month moratorium on hyperscale data center proposals. During this period, the city plans to develop new regulations, including holding public forums with experts on water and electricity use, and subsequent public hearings in late 2026. This follows McLean County's adoption of detailed zoning requirements for data centers and active public opposition.
The City of Bloomington has implemented a six-month moratorium on hyperscale data center proposals, which was enacted by the city council in late May. This action follows similar moves by the Town of Normal and detailed zoning requirements passed by McLean County in June. The moratorium allows Bloomington several months to craft new regulations specifically for data centers consuming 5 megawatts or more of energy.
City Manager Jeff Jurgens stated that the process will include public forums featuring environmental and data center experts, as well as public hearings on the proposed regulations. While no official dates are set, a special meeting of the Planning Commission is tentatively scheduled for late August 2026 at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, where the city plans to host a mix of experts on topics like water and electricity. The city is also establishing a system for citizens and officials to submit questions in advance.
Jurgens emphasized the city's readiness for "difficult questions" and conversations during these public engagements. The first public hearing on the new regulations is anticipated at a Planning Commission meeting on October 1, followed by a second hearing on November 5. The focus remains on large, high-energy data centers, as smaller facilities within the community have not generated similar concerns regarding resource consumption.