Illinois would tie data center power service to clean energy

Data center developers would have to make public agreements with local community groups and share project information. These requirements cover developers seeking to build data centers in Illinois. The agreement would be legally binding and made with a community advisory board or coalition. The parties would agree on the amount for a community benefit fund, which the community group would manage. Developers would update the website quarterly and hold at least two public meetings each year for five years after the site begins operating.

Data center owners and operators would have to plan for water use and obtain a water permit to operate. The requirements apply to data center owners and operators, including applicants seeking a Water Impact Permit. The permit would require the Agency to find that the center will not cause an adverse impact on water resources and that required water-system upgrades are covered. For centers proposed after the water rules take effect, the cooling method must be at least as water-efficient as closed-loop cooling and meet standards set by rule. The plans and reporting would begin within six months after the Act takes effect. Permit rules must be proposed within eight months; operation without a permit would be barred once those rules take effect.

Utilities would have to offer special tariffs for hyperscale data centers, with firm service tied to new clean capacity and flexible use. These rules cover hyperscale data centers and the electric utilities that serve them. The tariffs would assign needed utility investments to data center customers and include contract terms to limit costs left with other customers. Service for load not backed by new, deliverable clean capacity could be non-firm, requiring the customer to reduce or delay use under defined conditions. Fast-track connection would depend on meeting clean-energy targets of 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2045, plus backup-power targets. Utilities would file tariffs within 90 days after the Act takes effect. The clean-energy targets for fast-track connections are measured by January 1 of 2030, 2035, and 2045.

Municipalities and counties would have to adopt automated permitting for many home solar projects. This requirement covers Illinois municipalities and counties; the fast in-person permitting exemption applies to both. The platform would cover residential solar systems within limits set by the residential building code. A local government offering in-person permits for all residential solar applications within five business days would be exempt. Local governments would have to adopt the platform on or before July 1, 2027.