Proposed Data Center in Mahomet, IL: What We’re Doing, and What You Can Do
Prairie Rivers Network has serious concerns about the prospect of a large data center developed by Clean Cloud Energy coming to the Village of Mahomet in Champaign County. Many PRN members and people in the community have gotten in touch; we're encouraged to see the community coming together to organize, and are here to support those efforts as best we can.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
Our team is currently reviewing the FOIA documents that were made available on Monday, September 28. While some of the more troubling details have been publicized—including information about non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by decisionmakers in Mahomet—we expect further details to surface.
Developers have made several promises: zero water use, no impact on utility bills, and covering the cost of new energy infrastructure (which isn't the same as protecting ratepayers, because a spike in demand can still drive up rates for everyone). But a promise means nothing unless it's in writing and legally enforceable. They’re also asking for a huge tax break on the electricity tax that could be more than the community benefits combined—estimates assuming the data center is of similar size to the one in Sangamon County.
What we can definitively say: Without strong local ordinances and state guardrails in place, data center development is very likely to continue unchecked as developers learn their way around Illinois communities and find their loopholes. The state of Illinois has the opportunity to pass strong legislation—the POWER Act—during this fall’s veto session, but that process won't start until November.
The POWER Act would have changed the dynamic in Mahomet’s case. If passed, the POWER Act will ban NDAs to ensure transparency out of the gate, and would require a water impact permit that could stop data center development altogether if an independent review shows a facility's plan would have an adverse impact on local water resources—such as the Mahomet Aquifer. These are just two of many ways the POWER Act protects the public and requires data center developers to be truly accountable to local communities.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Time is of the essence. We strongly encourage people living in the area to contact Mahomet’s Village Board of Trustees and voice their opinions on the proposed data center, and strongly encourage the Village of Mahomet Board to take a more measured approach: Slow things down, bring in the public and provide an avenue for community members to ask questions, and follow Champaign County Board’s example as they develop an ordinance during the current 12-month moratorium in place for most land within the county. We say “most” because, at the moment, it appears that Champaign County's moratorium will not stop this proposed project if the Village moves forward with annexation, and any rules in the new ordinance would not apply.
Concerned community members will meet at the Mahomet Public Library tomorrow (Saturday, 10/3) at 11:30am, and the next meeting of the Mahomet Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00pm at 503 E. Main St., in Mahomet, IL. People may also send an email to members of the Board of Trustees.
Passing the POWER Act this fall is essential to protecting all Illinois communities from data center activity that can rob residents of resources and force them to pay more for what’s left. There are two things you can do right now, no matter where in Illinois you live, to help get this done:
Contact your state representatives and senators TODAY and tell them you expect them to strengthen and pass the POWER Act, without delay, during the fall veto session in November.
Register to attend POWER Act Lobby Day in Springfield on Wednesday, November 18. People from all over Illinois will rally together in the State Capitol in support of this essential legislation. Free transportation will be provided from a number of locations throughout Illinois.
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