Building data centers the right way

Build The Right Way

New data centers can be a major benefit to our area, but we need to listen to community concerns and build them the right way. Here’s how.

Principle01

Data centers must pay their own way and not cause residential utility rates to rise.

  • Both Ameren Illinois and Illinois American Water have stated that any data centers in their service areas must cover the full cost of any necessary electrical or water infrastructure improvements needed for their operations.
  • Large users like data centers can help offset overall system costs for other ratepayers, helping to keep residential rates down.
Principle02

Data centers must use closed loop water recycling to limit the impacts on our water resources.

  • New data centers recycle water, dramatically reducing their water demand. In fact, new data centers that recycle use less water than a typical residential subdivision.
  • Communities in our area like Granite City and Pontoon Beach are developing data center ordinances mandating water recycling or other water-saving technologies.
  • It is important to remember that the St. Louis area, which draws its water primarily from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, is blessed with plentiful water resources.
Principle03

Communities are creating strong data center regulations

Both Pontoon Beach and Granite City in our area have developed data center ordinances that should be models for other communities.

The Granite City ordinance, for example, mandates:

  • location must be in areas zoned for industrial purposes;
  • noise restrictions;
  • limits on the use of back-up diesel generators;
  • buffer zones and screening requirements; including berms and landsc
  • light and glare mitigation; and
  • compliance with all state air and water quality permits.
Facts vs. Myths

There are a lot of myths about data centers.

We think it’s time to set the record straight

FAQ