Chicago proposes 12-month moratorium on new data centers

Chicago could halt new data center development within city limits for a year. Why it matters: Data centers' growing demand for electricity and water could affect residents' utility bills and the environment, and city leaders want more time to study those impacts. The latest: Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with a group of alders, is pushing for a 12-month moratorium while the city develops a "comprehensive regulatory framework" for data centers. There are 39 active data centers in Chicago, accordin