Illinois bill would require clean energy for data centers
Illinois House Bill 5826 would require large data centers to report hourly electricity use and match all Illinois power consumption with eligible clean or carbon-free energy beginning in 2030. The bill would impose escalating penalties for energy shortfalls, with the Illinois Power Agency overseeing compliance.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman has introduced the Data Center Energy Accountability Act in the Illinois House. The bill would apply to data centers using at least 5 megawatts of hourly energy and require them to begin reporting electricity use in 2028.
Beginning in 2030, operators would have to match 100% of their Illinois electricity consumption with eligible clean-energy certificates, including those tied to solar, hydropower, geothermal and nuclear generation. The Illinois Power Agency would monitor compliance, while penalties for shortfalls would rise over time and could be directed to a new fund supporting clean-energy and storage projects. The bill has no co-sponsors, and lawmakers are not expected to return to Springfield until after the November election.