Proposed
Constellation land near Braidwood nuclear plant (Essex)
Constellation Energy has bought at least 505 acres around the small village of Essex, near its Braidwood nuclear plant, and wants it annexed. Residents fear a data center. The company says it has no customer or project yet.
Where things stand: Constellation asked to annex its land into the village in Nov. 2025. It says no project or customer has been chosen. The annexation deadline was pushed to Aug. 24, 2026.
🕒 Latest update (2026): Two village trustees who had sold land to Constellation resigned.
What we know
- 📍 WhereFarmland in and around the village of Essex, near the Braidwood nuclear plant, Essex, Kankakee County
- 🏢 CompanyConstellation Energy
- 🌳 Size505 acres
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromNear Constellation's Braidwood nuclear plant; Constellation wants to market its carbon-free power to future developers.
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Did the Village Board approve the annexation agreement by the Aug. 24, 2026 deadline? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will a data center actually be built here, and by whom? 🙋 I'll find out
- Was a secret deal (NDA) signed with village officials? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- June 2025Constellation began buying land around Essex; by Feb. 2026 it had spent about $47.5 million on 14 deals.
- Nov 2025Constellation asked the village for an annexation agreement.
- 2026Two village trustees who had sold land to Constellation resigned.
🛰️ See it from above
An aerial photo of the area.
We only know the town, so this shows the town center, not the exact site. Photos: USGS The National Map.
Where this comes from
- Data center fears grow after massive land purchases in Chicago suburb · FOX 32 Chicago · 2026
- Quiet farm town freaks out as Constellation snaps up half of Essex · Hoodline · July 2026
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