Charleston council approves ban on data center development
Charleston city officials approved a ban on new data center and battery energy storage system developments while they study the facilities and draft regulations. The article also notes that McLean County recently adopted rules addressing data center water use and infrastructure costs.
The Charleston City Council enacted a moratorium on prospective data center and battery energy storage system developments. Officials said the pause will allow the city to research the facilities and develop regulations governing them.
The article places Charleston’s action within broader Central Illinois efforts to regulate data centers. It also reports that McLean County, after previously limiting data center applications to manufacturing districts, approved additional regulations concerning water use and infrastructure costs.