Grayslake data center developer not going to fill in wetland: ‘Building a lasting partnership’
T5, the developer behind a data center campus in Grayslake, IL, has indefinitely suspended its permit application to fill 16 acres of wetlands due to community concerns, opting to preserve the area. Despite this change, the project is moving forward, reaffirming T5's commitment while facing ongoing opposition from local residents and several municipalities. The Lake County Board also enacted a temporary moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas, though it doesn't affect Grayslake.
The developer T5 has announced it will no longer proceed with its application to fill in nearly 16 acres of wetlands for its planned data center campus in Grayslake, Illinois. T5 CEO Pete Marin stated that the company has "volunteered to indefinitely suspend our permit application for wetland remediation" in response to "community questions and concerns." This decision means T5 will preserve the existing wetland area and move forward with a different development plan for the site.
The project has faced significant opposition, particularly from groups like the Lake County Data Center Opposition Coalition, co-founded by Barrington-area resident Michael Smith, which plans to file a lawsuit against the development. Opponents had criticized Grayslake's perceived shift on wetland protection. While T5 will adapt its plans regarding the wetlands, Marin reaffirmed the company's commitment to the overall data center development, emphasizing its potential for 1,600 jobs and over half a billion dollars in revenue for local taxing bodies.
Marin also addressed concerns about water and electricity usage, claiming the campus will use a closed-loop, air-cooled chiller system that requires less municipal water than other cooling systems and will have minimal effect on local electric rates. However, water advocates warn that closed-loop systems can shift water consumption issues to power plants through increased electricity demand. The Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency (CLCJAWA) executive director, William Soucie, estimated the full 1.2 GW campus would require about 19.2 million gallons for initial fills, but projected daily usage would be less than 50,000 gallons.
Further opposition comes from at least two Lake County municipalities, Avon Township and Round Lake Park, which have officially voiced their disapproval. The Lake County Board has also imposed a temporary moratorium on data center projects in unincorporated areas, although this does not impact the Grayslake site. Additionally, Mundelein passed ordinances clarifying that data centers are not permitted in its jurisdiction.