TerraWatt unveils Riverbend data center plan at Alton open house
TerraWatt presented its proposed Riverbend Technology Center at an open house in Alton, outlining plans for a 200-megawatt data center at the former Alton Steel site. Residents raised concerns about noise, water use and the project’s potential impacts, while some attendees displayed opposition signs.
TerraWatt held an open house in Alton to explain its proposed Riverbend Technology Center, a data center planned for portions of the former Alton Steel plant. The first phase would include a 200-megawatt block powered by the Ameren Illinois grid, with a sealed-loop cooling system that the company says would use about 400,000 gallons of water annually and discharge nothing into the Mississippi River.
Residents questioned TerraWatt employees, including co-founder David Lambiaso and Nick Hartzler, about noise, health effects, water consumption and whether community feedback would influence the proposal. Some residents said they were dissatisfied with the responses, while others displayed signs opposing the project. Cecilia Dvorak, CEO of Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners, said her firm would compile feedback and recommend ways for TerraWatt to address community concerns before submitting a proposal to the city.