Data centers impact our air, water, land, climate, public health, utility bills, and communities. The POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513) establishes comprehensive regulations for hyperscale data centers in Illinois, focusing on environmental protection, water resource management, energy affordability and direct community benefits.
You can show your support! Call or email your state legislators with this quick and easy form.

I am concerned about the rapid buildout of data centers and the impact they will have on my community and the rest of Illinois. There will likely be legislation to regulate data centers during the fall Veto Session.  

I strongly urge you to support the policies that have been included in the POWER Act (SB4016/HB5513), such as protecting residents from escalating power costs caused by the increasing data center demand and requiring new clean energy sources to minimize emissions impacting our climate.

It also establishes sustainable water use, transparent reporting, and consumer protection requirements to ensure our valuable water resources are used responsibly and protected from pollution.

Among important environmental justice provisions, the legislation protects frontline communities by requiring that no data center be located within three miles of an Environmental Justice or Equity Investment Eligible Community unless an Illinois EPA cumulative impact assessment determines the project won’t increase health or environmental risks to the community. 

Absent stronger policies, data centers will undoubtedly increase pollution, drive up bills, threaten our water supply, and imperil our climate.

Your support is appreciated.

Protect Illinois from Data Center Harms