SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois leaders want to bring more data centers to the state, but lawmakers are also concerned about their high demand for energy. Clean energy advocates hope Illinois will force these businesses to power data centers with their own renewable energy sources.

Lawmakers could pass a plan in the final weeks of session to protect the state’s power grid from surging energy demand from data centers. While Illinois has made significant investments in clean energy since Gov. JB Pritzker took office, the power grid is struggling to keep pace with demand.

This legislation could force data centers to produce 100% of the power required for their technology.

“Data centers are energy hogs,” said Citizen Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz. “Unless we as a state put strong protection in place, everyday electricity customers are going to end up paying more.”

Some argue the plan could scare companies from opening in Illinois, especially if they prefer to power their facilities with coal or nuclear energy.

“There has to be some kind of a plan that’s laid out either in this committee or through the Pritzker administration that lays out what the plan is for the so-called clean energy to have transmission lines that will actually be able to get energy to the data centers,” said Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro). 

The proposal could also add batteries to the grid to store excess power from solar and wind energy when the sun is down and the wind is slow. Energy experts said Illinois must prioritize advance planning for data center demand.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center explained Indiana has seen energy demand growth get ahead of the state’s planning.

“The utilities there are in a really difficult place because there’s been so much demand that’s shown up,” said managing attorney Brad Klein. “The utilities are trying to come up with plans almost on the fly in real time to be able to supply that load. What we’re seeing is a very heavy reliance on gas.”

The Senate version of this bill has a third reading extension until May 9. That means senators still believe they have enough support to move the plan out of both chambers before session ends May 31.

“Because of the demand, because of data centers, because of quantum, because of new industrial development we have to look forward,” said Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago). “We’re good right now. We’re going to be good next year, but are we going to be in 2030?”

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