In the first episode of the series Extrapolations, a real estate developer is pushing to expand in the Arctic. The once pristine area is now accessible due to climate related melting, and his colleague points out the horrific damage they are causing to the environment. The billionaire developer shrugs and with a gleam in his eye says, “Yes, but we’re going to be rich!”
Despite known risks to our land and our quality of life, a similar short-term attitude seems to be playing out across Illinois as increasing numbers of so-called “hyperscale" data centers are pursued by big tech. Illinois already ranks 4th in the country for the highest number of data centers–it may be as high as 244 already although it is difficult to establish a reliable number.
Data Centers have been around long enough for us to understand what is at stake. Tech giants are building massive, energy intensive facilities for AI, cloud computing and often cryptocurrency. Their immense energy requirements and the necessity that they operate 24/7 threatens to outpace our growth in wind and solar power. If allowed to proceed without safeguards, we will be forced to prolong our reliance on dirty fossil fuel generation. If Big Tech is left unchecked, Illinois will be sacrificing our hard-fought climate goals in lieu of corporate profits.
That is why Sierra Club and our partners in the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition are working to pass the POWER Act—state legislation that would provide critical guardrails on data center development and reduce harm to our communities. Protecting Our Water, Energy and Ratepayers (POWER) means we need to slow down the “develop at all costs” mentality and make sure that future development does not happen at the expense of Illinois residents.
We have also worked with our partners in the ICJC, to help plan and facilitate nearly two-dozen Data Center Town halls and listening sessions throughout the state. Hundreds of concerned citizens have participated and expressed fear around rising utility bills, loss of adequate water supply and contamination of water sources, and an overall inability of the current power grid to handle the additional load.
Wondering what you can do to help? Great!
We need a thousand Illinoisans to hop on a bus or train or to carpool to Springfield on Saturday May 30th for the POWER Act Lobby Day. We’ll gather at the State Capitol to meet with legislators and push for support of the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513). Once again we are pushing for nation-leading legislation–this time to protect Illinois from data center harms. Following the legislative meetings we will have a rally at the Lincoln Statue (or indoors in the event of bad weather).
You can also sign our Action Alert and immediately communicate your concerns directly to your state elected officials.
This is urgent. We need to protect our water and energy grid and make sure ratepayers don’t shoulder the burden of rising utility bills. It’s time for the POWER Act!