Carbondale residents voice concerns over data centers, water concerns during town hall

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) — One week after Carbondale leaders approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, residents gathered Tuesday evening to discuss how those projects could affect Southern Illinois’ water supply and future growth.

The town hall at the Carbondale Civic Center gave residents an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and hear from elected officials and community leaders about data centers, water resources and water system privatization.

The meeting comes after the Carbondale City Council voted June 23 to pause new data center development for one year while city officials develop zoning regulations before considering future proposals.

The council’s decision followed weeks of public concerns over how large data centers could affect water use, energy demand, noise and quality of life.

Allison Paige, a Carbondale resident and co-organizer of Tuesday’s meeting, said the discussion extends beyond the proposed data center.

“It’s actually twofold. It is in regards to the proposed data center, but it is also in regards to a letter that was sent out by our then state representative, Paul Jacobs, to a few water offices, but not all of them. So it was actually discussing consolidation before that. At what point they started doing it? We don’t know.”

Organizers said no decisions were expected to be made during Tuesday’s meeting. Instead, they hoped to encourage public discussion while the city develops its approach to future data center projects.

Georgia de la Garza, the community meeting organizer, said transparency was one of the event’s main goals.

“There was a private meeting. We want our elected officials to know that this is the way we want to get things done. We want it to be public. We want everyone to have a voice and a seat at the table. It’s our water.”

De la Garza said the discussion also included representatives from communities across Southern Illinois to address concerns about water privatization.

“We’re going to be having elected officials from different communities like Bluford, Illinois, all the way down to Cairo, Thebes, Illinois. We’re going to be then going into water privatization and what that looks like.”

Supporters of data centers say the facilities could bring jobs, tax revenue and economic investment, while others believe stronger safeguards should be in place before development moves forward.

Paige said protecting local water resources remains one of her biggest concerns.

“I am concerned about the local nature and wildlife and obviously the water itself, because from the research I’ve done, the places that do have these data centers have uncontrollable water. It’s the wrong colors. I’m concerned that we won’t have enough water for ourselves if something happens. And I’m also concerned that they’re having us in secret and not discussing it with the citizens.”

De la Garza said she hopes residents leave the meeting informed and engaged.

“I hope they’re encouraged to do their homework, to do their research, to hold their elected officials accountable. No more private meetings, no more going off and having a meeting with this company without us at the table. Water is life.”

City officials are expected to use the one-year moratorium to draft zoning regulations that would guide any future data center proposals in Carbondale.

This version reads a little smoother and identifies both women the first time they’re introduced, then uses only their last names afterward, which follows AP style.