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Johnson Regulates Chicago Data Centers, Wants Moratorium

On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order creating stricter data center regulations and establishing a dedicated Data Center Task Force while urging the City Council to pass a temporary moratorium on new developments.
The move follows a July report from the Sustainable Data Centers Working Group, which recommended new oversight because current frameworks failed to address the energy intensity and resource demands of modern facilities.
Chicago hosts about 39 data centers, which spark concerns regarding electricity costs, grid reliability, and water consumption; the new order mandates enhanced evaluations of air pollution permits and assesses cumulative environmental effects.
While environmental advocates praised the move, Zoning Committee Chair Gilbert Villegas criticized the order as an unnecessary "political stunt," arguing the mayor should prioritize introducing an ordinance instead.
City Council Environmental Chair Ald. Maria Hadden plans to introduce an ordinance next month requiring data centers to report usage, joining a trend where more than 530 municipalities nationwide have restricted such facilities.

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Johnson regulates Chicago data centers, wants moratorium

(The Center Square) – Chicago could soon be one of the largest cities in the U.S. to halt the development of new data centers large tech companies continue to invest heavily into the infrastructure backing artificial intelligence.

6 days ago·Cherokee County, United States

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WFAA 8abc

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Fort Worth City Council weighs several data center measures, including 90-day pause on new projects

The council is considering a 90-day moratorium on the acceptance, processing and approval of new applications for rezoning or permits for data centers.

7 days ago·Dallas, United States

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연합뉴스-Yonhap News Agency

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Chicago City Pushes for Data Center Moratorium Following New York State

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Seol Won-tae = Following New York State, the city of Chicago is pushing for a temporary data center moratorium (suspension of construction).

7 days ago·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)

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