Concerns raised regarding Indiana draw on Kankakee River
Kankakee County officials are reviewing an Indiana permit for a proposed nine-building Amazon data center in Wheatfield Township that would be powered by a nearby electrical plant using Kankakee River water for cooling. County officials want to assess potential effects on downstream water supplies and plan to communicate their concerns to Indiana officials, although no formal action has been taken.
Kankakee County Board members are examining an Indiana Department of Environmental Management permit application for a proposed $7 billion, nine-building Amazon data center on 304 acres in Wheatfield Township, Indiana. The nearby electrical plant intended to serve the facility would draw water from the Kankakee River for cooling, prompting concern among downstream officials about impacts on the river and the county’s water supply.
Amazon says the facilities would rely on outdoor air cooling about 98% of the year, limiting evaporative cooling to roughly seven days annually. County officials, including waterways subcommittee chairman Jim Frogge and board member Antonio Carrico, said they want to understand the project and make Kankakee County’s interests known, while noting the county may have limited influence over Indiana’s permitting process. The subcommittee took no formal action because a quorum was absent, but further discussion and correspondence with Indiana officials are planned.