Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes Chicago Data Center Moratorium: ‘We Can’t Wait’
The proposal would give city officials time to craft rules on pollution, water use and electricity costs, with 39 data centers already operating in Chicago.
- On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and several alders introduced an ordinance proposing a 12-month moratorium on new data center construction and the "material expansion" of existing facilities.
- Johnson seeks this pause to give the Data Centers Task Force time to develop a "comprehensive regulatory framework" addressing clean air, water usage, and energy impact.
- Ward Alderman William Conway proposed separate zoning regulations, while Data Center Coalition's Brad Tietz warned the moratorium signals Chicago is "closed for business."
- Both ordinances face committee vetting, as Ald. Marty Quinn sent Johnson's proposal to the rules committee on Wednesday, where legislation is often delayed or blocked.
- Chicago joins at least a half-dozen major U.S. cities, including Seattle and Baltimore, in temporarily halting data center development as nationwide controversy rises over environmental and quality of life impacts.
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Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago data center moratorium ordinance proposed - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and three city council members have introduced an ordinance that would pause the development of new data centers and the material expansion of existing facilities for one year. The proposal follows the mayor's executive order last month [...]
Chicago mayor seeks to block data center expansion: ‘We are not for sale’ – The Hill
The ordinance acts as a 12-month temporary pause to give city officials time to develop long-term policies concerning energy and pollution risks for Chicagoans. It follows similar action from Gov. JB Pritzker, who announced in June that he would be pausing agreements under the Data Center Investment Program.
Chicago mayor proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers
Chicago could halt new data center development within city limits for a year.Why it matters: Data centers' growing demand for electricity and water could affect residents' utility bills and the environment, and city leaders want more time to study those impacts.The latest: Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with a group of alders, is pushing for a 12-month moratorium while the city develops a "comprehensive regulatory framework" for data centers.There…
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