Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The phrase that pays in the utility game these days is “data center.”

“We’ve been approached by a few data centers from the water side,” said Scott Rogers (pictured), who takes over from the retiring Doug Brown as chief utility engineer April 1. “We could supply it. The problem becomes when we start getting into droughts. What’s the limitation? How much can we safely provide to them without impacting our primary customers, which are the residents?”

And Rogers tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch renewables have been a game changer. “The electric industry has been in turmoil over the last five to ten years. You look at the last three years  – CEJA from the state of Illinois. currently we are purchasing energy off of two renewables.”

Rogers has been in charge of the electric side of City Water, Light, and Power. Brown is retiring but is also taking another job: CEO of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.