SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Ram Villivalam joined hundreds of environmental advocates Saturday for a rally urging for data center regulations that protect Illinois communities.
“Families are worried about rising costs, communities want transparency and accountability and people want to know their drinking water is safe,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “We need real and meaningful action – that’s what the POWER Act is all about.”
Villivalam is sponsoring Senate Bill 4016, known as the POWER Act, which is a comprehensive measure that would provide common-sense guardrails on data centers to protect natural resources, the environment and communities across Illinois.
To tackle rising utility costs due to data center energy needs, the measure would require data centers, to develop energy supply and capacity need plans with renewable and battery storage protections that are new and capacity to the power grid.
To increase transparency, the bill would require data centers to report their expected and actual water use, including where they obtain their water, and how much they are taking, using, and discharging. Additionally, it would require public engagement opportunities and prohibits data centers from entering non-disclosure agreements with local government.
To support communities, the measure would establish a fund administered by both the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to enhance grant programs providing environmental rehabilitation, preservation and utility bill assistance.
“This is the most comprehensive data center legislation in the nation. It would address energy, water, transparency, accountability and would make sure communities are not left bearing the burden while corporations reap the benefits,” said Villivalam. “We need to protect ratepayers, communities and natural resources – the impacts of data centers are too big to ignore.”
Senate Bill 4016 awaits assignment to a committee.
