(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago says data center policy must be looked at through the lens of environmental justice.
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke in New York on Monday at “Powering Justice: Data Centers and Building a Just Digital Future,” a panel discussion led by the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Johnson said it is important to look at the full environmental footprint of data centers.
“Looking at this issue through an environmental justice lens is absolutely necessary, because in the name of economic growth it has been Black and Brown communities that have had to bear the risks of pollution and environmental issues,” the mayor said.
Johnson issued an executive order last month to regulate data centers and called on the city council to pass a moratorium on new data centers.
The order provided for enhanced evaluation of air pollution control permits to reduce emissions from diesel backup generators, data-center-specific rules for regulating noise, and a cross‑departmental review process for planned developments that include data centers.
Johnson said data centers have targeted neighborhoods bearing the burden of environmental injustice.
“Economic development or even technological advancements should not replace humans. They should help enhance our existence,” Johnson said.
The mayor said he used a $1.25 billion bond to strengthen his city’s environmental policies.
“It’s the largest economic development bond in the history of Chicago. I used $135 million of that economic development bond to build green social housing,” Johnson said.
On Wednesday, the city council may vote on an ordinance that would require three fifths of the city council to approve new debt issuance instead of a simple majority.
Before the council’s finance committee voted to advance the measure last week, Alderman Bill Conway said the city would spend about $2 billion this year on debt service.
“Which by the way is about as much as we spend on the entire Chicago Police Department,” Conway said.
