Illinois data center boom tied to rising utility bills, experts say

Illinois is experiencing a significant data center boom, with 115 operational facilities and 67 more planned, primarily in the Chicago area. This rapid growth is being tied to a noticeable increase in water and electric bills for state residents. For example, Joliet residents Jeremy and Emily Brzycki expressed concern after their city council approved a 795-acre data center project, noting their utility bills have become excessively high. Environmental experts, such as Andrew Rehn, climate policy director with the Prairie Rivers Network, highlighted the state's vulnerability due to a lack of comprehensive water usage tracking mechanisms, especially with major water users like data centers entering the region. Sarah Moskowitz, executive director for the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois, a consumer watchdog group, explained that supply prices for ComEd increased by approximately 50% due to demand for electricity associated with data centers, as determined by the independent market monitor over at PJM Interconnection. PJM, which operates the nation's largest power grid serving parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, sets wholesale power prices that directly influence consumer bills. Moskowitz also noted that existing consumers are currently paying for anticipated future power needs from data centers that may not even materialize, as utilities might be over-forecasting demand. PJM Interconnection acknowledged the issue, stating they are standardizing processes for large load requests and implementing forecasting improvements, but still anticipate significant growth in electricity demand over the next two decades. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has joined a bipartisan coalition of governors from the PJM region, urging PJM to implement consumer protections to prevent data center energy use from further escalating costs for working families. Consumer advocates advise residents to contact lawmakers to support legislation addressing these issues.