- Rezoning for Innovation: Ogle County Board approved the rezoning of 524 acres near the Byron Nuclear Plant from agricultural to industrial, potentially paving the way for an AI data center or similar high-tech development.
- Energy-Tech Partnership: Constellation Energy is exploring colocation opportunities, pairing nuclear power with data centers to meet the rising energy demands of AI and tech companies like Microsoft, while extending the life of its clean energy facilities.
- Economic and Community Benefits: Local leaders and residents express optimism about potential job creation, increased property values, and boosted tax revenues, while ensuring that any development balances community and corporate interests.
Nestled amidst the sprawling flat farm fields of Ogle County, Illinois, the Byron Nuclear Power Plant may soon become a hub for cutting-edge technology. In August 2024, the Ogle County Board approved a proposal to rezone 524 acres surrounding the plant from agricultural to industrial use. The request, submitted by Constellation Energy, the plant’s owner and operator, signals a potential shift in the area’s future use.
The rezoning move aligns with recent strategic developments by Constellation Energy. Just a month later, in September 2024, the company announced a groundbreaking partnership with Microsoft to restart operations at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. The revived facility is set to power artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, marking an innovative intersection of clean energy and high-tech needs.
Bruce Larson, chairman of the Ogle County Board, notes that while no specific plans have been finalized for the rezoned acreage, discussions about establishing an AI data center are underway. “We’re working with Constellation to see what can happen,” Larson explains, emphasizing the site’s suitability for a project of this scale. “It looks like it may fit there very well for the power supply.”
The potential development of an AI data center at the Byron plant reflects a broader trend in the tech and energy sectors: colocation. Constellation Energy describes this practice as pairing nuclear plants directly with data centers. This approach extends the operational life of nuclear facilities while providing a reliable, clean energy source for energy-intensive operations like AI computing.
With the rise of AI, the power demands of tech companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have surged. At peak capacity, a data center campus can consume as much electricity as 700,000 homes. By comparison, the Byron nuclear plant generates enough power for 1.7 million homes, making it an ideal candidate for such a collaboration.
Local opinions on the proposed development are mixed but hopeful. Tyler Lathrop, a Dixon resident, views AI as an emerging opportunity despite not being deeply familiar with the technology. “The jobs are nice, but what could come of it?” he wonders aloud, balancing cautious optimism with curiosity.
For Byron Mayor John Rickard, the potential economic benefits are clear. “Any kind of development would increase the value of the property, thus increasing tax revenue to the various governing bodies that receive property taxes,” he says.
While no official decision has been made, the anticipation of new development brings a sense of optimism to the community. According to Larson, any project on the rezoned land will require a special use permit, subject to approval by the county board. He stresses that the project must balance the needs of the community with those of Constellation Energy. “If done right, it’ll be a win-win,” Larson asserts.
Four years after the Byron plant faced the threat of closure, the prospect of hosting a high-tech AI data center signals a new chapter for the site—and a potential model for the future of clean energy and technology integration.
