Data center committee shares recommendations after heated presentation
A Citizens Voluntary Advisory Committee in Decatur, Illinois, shared recommendations regarding data center development after a heated public presentation. Key concerns addressed by the committee include utility capacity, skyrocketing energy costs, and the potential for moratoriums to deter investors. The committee aims to guide city leaders on how to welcome data centers without straining local resources.
A recent data center presentation in Decatur, Illinois, escalated into a "shouting match," with attendees expressing disappointment over a lack of clarity. Dawn Dannenbring of Illinois People’s Action noted that the contentious environment hindered effective communication among various stakeholders.
The Citizens Voluntary Advisory Committee (CVAC), chaired by Jerry Stocks, spent eight weeks gathering input from local groups, including opponents like Illinois People’s Action. The committee's primary objective is to advise city leaders on integrating data centers while safeguarding local resources.
Key concerns highlighted by the committee include the region's utility capacity and potential spikes in energy costs. Stocks detailed investigations into MISO, the regional power grid manager, which indicated a projected doubling of capacity over the next decade. He also suggested that the state might mandate developers, such as Google with its Broadwing proposals in Macon County, to generate their own power. Stocks warned that energy burdens from projects, like a 636-megawatt data center in nearby Sangamon County, would be shared across the MISO footprint.
Regarding water usage and noise, the committee concluded there was minimal risk, advocating for the city to enforce strict permit conditions, including conditional use permits, which if violated, could lead to a shutdown rather than just a fine. Stocks also cautioned against data center moratoriums, stating they create an impression of an unpredictable community, deterring potential investors.