Resistance to data centers grows nationwide

Published April 26, 2026 7:00am ET



A growing movement across the country aims to restrict data center developments because of fears about their use of energy, water consumption, and noise pollution. 

The suburban city of Aurora, Illinois, west of Chicago, has recently imposed some of the country’s strictest restrictions on data centers, requiring developers to comply with new zoning requirements, energy use rules, water consumption limits, and noise standards. 

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