Bloomington city manager says public exploration of data center issue is only the beginning

Bloomington City Manager Jeff Jurgens recently disclosed that the city has received numerous inquiries from businesses interested in establishing data centers within the community. Jurgens, however, expressed significant reservations during a "Sound Ideas" interview, stating his belief that no large-scale data center location would be suitable within city limits due to critical infrastructure concerns. He suggested potential sites might exist outside municipal boundaries under county jurisdiction. A primary concern highlighted by Jurgens is water availability, noting that the city cannot provide "an unlimited hose to our lakes" given its limited supply, a crucial issue for data centers that use substantial amounts of water for cooling. He mentioned that a state law passed in August allows the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (BNWRD) and the Sanitary District of Decatur to sell treated effluent to businesses within a 50-mile radius, potentially offering an alternative water source for data centers, similar to how golf courses utilize gray water. Beyond water, Jurgens emphasized the need for "guardrails" to address energy costs, noise, aesthetics, and decommissioning plans. He stated that the city has informed interested businesses that public input is necessary to determine the community's stance. To facilitate this, the city is hosting public forums at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts to allow residents to voice concerns and benefits. Jurgens also stressed the importance of transparency regarding community benefits agreements, rejecting the idea of secrecy or non-disclosure pacts. He indicated that the city might also await the outcome of state-level legislation, such as the proposed POWER Act, which aims to establish comprehensive environmental, water, and energy regulations for hyperscale data centers. Jurgens concluded that the city intends to proceed cautiously to avoid community division over the issue.