Chicago mayor says environmental justice 'necessary' for data centers

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently emphasized the necessity of viewing data center policy through an environmental justice lens. Speaking at the "Powering Justice: Data Centers and Building a Just Digital Future" panel in New York, organized by the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Mayor Johnson stated that economic growth should not disproportionately burden Black and Brown communities with pollution and environmental issues associated with data center development.

To address these concerns, Mayor Johnson issued an executive order last month, aiming to regulate data centers within the city. The order includes provisions for enhanced evaluation of air pollution control permits to reduce emissions from diesel backup generators, specific rules for regulating noise, and a cross-departmental review process for planned data center developments. He also urged the city council to pass a moratorium on new data centers, arguing that such facilities have historically targeted neighborhoods already facing environmental injustice.

Mayor Johnson highlighted his administration's commitment to environmental policies, referencing a $1.25 billion bond, the largest economic development bond in Chicago's history. He allocated $135 million from this bond towards building green social housing. Separately, the city council is considering an ordinance that would change the approval threshold for new debt issuance from a simple majority to three-fifths, a measure advanced by the finance committee, with Alderman Bill Conway noting the city's substantial annual debt service.