Illinois has a growing energy problem. There are a few reasons for why that is — coal and natural gas plants are closing, and regional grid operators are acting too slowly in connecting new wind and solar projects to the larger grid, but above all else, the state is using more energy than it ever has.
Data centers, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing projects all are utilizing more energy than state lawmakers say they could have imagined when they passed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.
“I think the whole country is going to face this the demands of data centers,” Jen Walling with the Illinois Environmental Council said. “You know, nothing is free. We’re paying for it somehow. So that is a way that we need to address that by bringing cheap renewable energy.”
They even have a name for the idea.
“We’re looking at ‘bring your own new clean energy,” Walling said. “We have our anagram of B.Y.O.N.C.E”
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