Online: Tackling the Unprecedented Challenges of Data Centers & The POWER Act #680

Presenter: Citizens Utility Board

After more than 20 years of relatively flat electricity demand, hyperscale data centers threaten regional electricity grids and energy markets with unsustainable loads. Additionally, in Illinois, the hard-won fossil fuel emission reductions won in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act are in jeopardy of being set back significantly or scrapped entirely.

With Big Tech and AI hungry for more and more power, Illinoisans face a crisis. The POWER Act will ensure working people aren’t left footing the bill for data centers. It would put commonsense guardrails in place to end backroom deals, hold data centers accountable, and guarantee they’re paying what they should. From how they use our water to their impact on energy costs, the POWER Act will make sure Big Tech is responsible with our resources and pays their fair share.

This presentation will lay out the problems data centers are known to cause, and provide an overview of the legislative solutions conceived by the Clean Jobs Coalition. Finally, the presenters will share ways for people to get involved at the local and state levels.