FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 24, 2026
Contacts:
Andrew Rehn, Director of Climate Policy, Prairie Rivers Network
arehn@prairierivers.org | 708-305-6181
Lisa Bralts, Communications Director, Prairie Rivers Network
lbralts@prairierivers.org | 217-417-5456
Champaign County Approves 12-Month Moratorium on Data Centers
URBANA, Illinois – After 2 hours of discussion and public comment in front of an overflow crowd that included environmental activists, labor representatives, and many others, the Champaign County Board voted to approve a moratorium on “big” data center development within the county. The decision included extending the proposed moratorium from 9 months to 12 months. The county’s Data Centers Activities Task Force, appointed earlier this year, will take the 12 months to research and propose new, stronger rules for large data centers in Champaign County.
In response, Prairie Rivers Network offers the following statement:
“Prairie Rivers Network applauds the Champaign County Board on its approval of a 12-month moratorium on data center development in the county. In a time where ‘move fast and break things’ seems to apply to almost everything, it is refreshing to see the board’s concern and care for Champaign County’s people and environment with this vote. We very much appreciate their leadership, vision, and desire to future-proof our county from rash decisions that might pay off in the short-term, but could have serious consequences in the longer-term.
“This pause in accepting proposals from data center developers will allow the county’s Data Center Activities Task Force, which was established in February 2026, ample time to do its due diligence as it creates modern, robust protections. PRN’s Director of Climate Policy, Andrew Rehn, is a member of this task force and will continue to advocate for policy that will protect Champaign County ratepayers from steep increases in energy bills, protect the Mahomet Aquifer from reckless water consumption by large water users, and ensure any new data center that gets built is a good neighbor. We look forward to the evolution of the task force’s work over the next 12 months.”
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At Prairie Rivers Network (PRN), we protect water, heal land, and inspire change. Using the creative power of science, law, and collective action, we protect and restore our rivers, return healthy soils and diverse wildlife to our lands, and transform how we care for the earth and for each other. PRN is the Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.
