Godfrey extends moratorium on data center applications for six months
The Godfrey Village Board unanimously approved a six-month extension of its moratorium on data center applications. Trustees aim to use this time to educate themselves on the potential benefits and harms of data centers, particularly concerning their high water and electricity usage, which are key concerns for opponents. This is the second extension, with the village attorney advising a decision on future regulations before the state potentially intervenes.
The Godfrey Village Board has approved a six-month extension of its moratorium on accepting applications for data center construction. The unanimous decision, made during a recent meeting, extends an initial moratorium approved in January, allowing the board more time to research and understand the implications of data center development.
Trustee Rick Lauschke emphasized the need for the board to actively educate itself on how data centers might benefit or harm the community, particularly regarding their substantial demands for water and electricity. Opponents of data centers frequently cite these resource-intensive requirements, which can strain municipal systems. Lauschke suggested that any future data center developments might need to be self-sufficient regarding water resources.
Village Attorney Bryan Dooling confirmed that state statutes permit this extension and potentially one more, but advised the trustees to reach a definitive decision on whether to ban data centers or allow them with specific regulations before the state potentially enacts its own preemptive legislation. Currently, there are no active data center applications in Godfrey, and the initial moratorium was implemented to allow for thorough research into the pros and cons of such facilities.