Meta

'Money, Money, Money' is what data centers promise to prospective communities willing to host them. In hubs Aurora and DeKalb, WGLT visited the sites to understand what their property tax revenue can offer and what projects are possible.

Before and once operation begins, data centers are becoming increasingly subjected to regulations by their host municipalities. WGLT visited Aurora, where some of the strictest rules exist, and DeKalb, which does not require much.

In a tale of two data center cities, Aurora and DeKalb are two examples of how location, regulation and revenue affect the residents where they sit. WGLT visited both to find answers.

Electricity markets are volatile again this year and that will cost Bloomington-Normal residents on their heating and cooling bills. For the last two years, the so-called municipal aggregated rate negotiated by a group of cities and towns has seen a big increase — 30% this year alone.

Clinton Clean Energy Center on Tuesday celebrated an agreement with Facebook parent Meta which will allow the plant to continue operating for the next 20 years after facing fears of closure.

Facebook parent Meta said Tuesday that it's signed a 20-year agreement to buy about 1.1 gigawatts of electricity from the Clinton nuclear power plant, starting in 2027, to support its "AI ambitions." The deal saves the closest nuclear plant to Bloomington-Normal from a possible closure.

The Alta wind farm west of Wapella has a power purchase agreement with Meta and its DeKalb Data Center.