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Kane County ag committee debates local action as data centers raise concerns about farmland
Summary
Committee members discussed results from an anecdotal survey on data-center impacts to horses and debated whether to pursue a local moratorium on data-center siting while state lawmakers consider policy; the chair said the topic will go to next month’s legislative meeting.
Chair Leslie Juby told the committee she has extended a survey about data centers and their effects on horses and said preliminary, self-reported results show negative impacts on animal behavior and breeding. "It's pretty overwhelming that everyone who participated in this says that there is an impact," Juby said, noting the evidence is anecdotal and self-reported.
A committee member raised the possibility of a county-level moratorium on data-center siting to protect agricultural lands while state legislators consider policy options. "Is there something maybe a moratorium that we wanna start here on the county?" the member asked. The chair responded that the state's attorney has advised there are legal limits on what the county can do and that the issue will be brought to the legislative meeting next month; meanwhile the county is working with lobbyists on protections at the state level.
No formal motion or vote on a moratorium occurred at the meeting. The chair said she plans to collate survey responses with a colleague and present findings to legislators to inform upcoming discussions about data-center siting and farmland protections.
Committee members emphasized protecting high-quality soils and the local agricultural economy as priorities if the county pursues further action; staff were directed to share updates with the committee as legislative work progresses.
