ROCKFORD — City Council members have approved a six-month moratorium on data centers, although it doesn’t apply to a key piece of land where Monarch Energy is considering a data center development.
Aldermen voted 14-0 on Monday to approve the moratorium and direct city staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the best practices regarding the development, expansion and operation of data centers.
City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said the moratorium doesn’t apply to land along Edson Road where Monarch Energy has been pursuing a data center. That’s because the land is already subject to an existing annexation agreement that allows for data center developments, according to the city’s interpretation of the agreement. That agreement can’t be changed without approval by both parties, Cagnoni said…