Lockport Suspends Data Center Discussions Pending 'Regulatory Framework'

LOCKPORT, IL – City officials in Lockport recently held a community workshop to talk about potential data center development at the Star Innovation District in Lockport.

"Discussions focused on issues including power demand, water usage, environmental impacts, and the broader emergence of the compute industry, while also exploring what meaningful safeguards and policy frameworks should exist before any proposal would ever be considered in Lockport," a news release states.

A main concern expressed throughout the workshop was ensuring that infrastructure and other utility and environmental costs are not shifted onto local residents, according to the news release.

The City said that many residents were concerned that "even strong local protections may prove insufficient without broader state and federal oversight addressing the cumulative impacts of the rapidly expanding compute industry and large-scale data center development."

The City said that those regional and national planning frameworks are currently absent.

"In recognition of those concerns, and until clearer regulatory frameworks are established at the state and federal levels, the City Council will suspend discussions regarding future data center development proposals within the City of Lockport," the news release states.

The City has canceled the planned June workshop sessions.