Mahomet trustees to consider resolution calling for aquifer protections from data centers
Mahomet trustees are preparing to vote on a resolution urging Illinois lawmakers to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from data-center development and require closed-loop or other non-groundwater cooling systems. The action follows public opposition that led the village to end preliminary talks with Clean Cloud Energy about a proposed project west of Champaign.
The Mahomet Village Board is set to consider a resolution authorizing Mayor Jason Tompkins to ask state lawmakers to prohibit data centers from using water from the Mahomet Aquifer and require alternatives such as closed-loop, air-cooled, reclaimed-water or surface-water systems. The resolution follows public backlash over the village's preliminary discussions with Clean Cloud Energy and concerns about the use of nondisclosure agreements.
Clean Cloud Energy has said its proposed project would use a closed-loop, air-chilled system and essentially no water for cooling, but community members and Trustee Bruce Colravy remain concerned about the aquifer and the transparency of the talks. State Sen. Chapin Rose plans to reintroduce legislation addressing aquifer protections and local-government NDAs, while Champaign County maintains a moratorium on large data centers and has adopted additional restrictions, including a ban on NDAs and property-tax incentives for hyperscale projects.