Chicago environmental justice advocates say a new effort in the city to regulate data centers is an important step toward addressing public health and affordability concerns as national pressure on the industry grows.
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on Tuesday directing a new task force to work on tighter regulations aimed at restricting data centers’ air and noise pollution, tempering water and energy usage and preventing utility bill spikes.
Katia Balba, a policy organizer with the community group Alliance of the Southeast, said the executive order is a good start, but she wants to see a full moratorium on data center development and more concrete details on how the city will address pollution, potential power outages and utility costs.
“We’re excited where this is going—it seems like we’re being heard and listened to,” Balba said. “We just need to continue with the momentum.”
A moratorium would be up to the City Council. Johnson said he’s urging the council to pass a temporary halt on new and expanded data centers until the city can put more comprehensive rules in place.
