Data centers in Wisconsin

"Congressman Tom Tiffany, the last thing we need to do in terms of energy is to burn more coal, which is something you support."

"If we let them build it and it is a really horrible data center, we are living with it for the next 20, 50, 70 years. And we don't want that for the community, if we can help it on the front end. Build it right the first time, and we'll be OK"

Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, called voter opposition to data centers a 'real paradox' and said he remains skeptical data centers will be a pivotal issue in the election.

State Rep. Clint Moses said he would add WEDC to legislation banning data center NDAs that he plans to introduce in January after a new governor and Legislature take office

Democratic candidate for governor David Crowley said he would sign a bill repealing the state's sales and use tax exemption for data centers.

"make sure that this is fertile ground for entrepreneurs and businesses to either stay or move right here to the state of Wisconsin. I do think that data centers play a huge role…. “There’s an opportunity for us to really become an AI and a data hub not only for the entire country, but for the entire globe."

In January, he called data centers “exciting new technology.” In August, Tiffany said data centers are needed to keep technology from being outsourced to China, WSAW TV reported .

Michael Timm, incumbent alderman, said he supported the 12 month moratorium to understand impacts and put strong protections in place, and believes any future data center must pay its fair share including property taxes without subsidizing electricity costs.

Rusty Brown, a candidate for Wisconsin Rapids city council District 7, said he is strongly opposed to hyperscale data centers, citing that they bring very few jobs to the community and that the moratorium must be enacted so local government has time to protect citizens.

Fred Clark, Democrat and former state lawmaker, said data centers need state and federal regulations to protect communities from environmental and financial risks, calling for protection of water resources and that consumers of energy are held harmless by the huge power demand these things generate

Michael Alfonso, Republican candidate, said local communities should decide whether to allow data centers and opposed federal government involvement in telling municipalities what they can and cannot do

Erik Severson supports the decision of Bayfield and Polk county boards to issue a moratorium on data centers

Erik Severson, Republican candidate for State Senate in Wisconsin's 25th Senate District, endorsed LRB 6903/1, legislation that would eliminate sales and use tax exemptions for data centers

Rasch said there is a decade long runway where union construction could see strong growth tied to data centers.

Chris Mambu Rasch said both data center campuses being developed in southeast Wisconsin are essentially 100 percent union construction projects.

Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, said opposition to data centers is coming from a broader doubt about the technology rather than specifically whether one is in your own backyard

Alderman Michael Timm sent email to Hotel Mead expressing concern that anti data center signs could hurt businesses

Kevin Knoke, Democratic challenger in 30th Assembly District, said he wants ratepayer protections, environmental protections, transparency, and accountability for data centers

Republican Assemblyman Shannon Zimmerman authored 2023 legislation resulting in a tax exemption for data center equipment and software, backed by Microsoft, business groups and several utilities.

Derrick Van Orden voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which included tax breaks for data center developers.

Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Derrick Van Orden voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.

Bill Hogseth, GROWW co executive director, said data centers are extracting water and wealth from communities

Rebecca Cooke says Van Orden voted to give an $83 billion tax break to data center developers.

Rebecca Cooke has been a strong advocate for a data center moratorium.

Derrick Van Orden claims Rebecca Cooke worked with Wisconsin Technology Council and Third Way and is responsible for data centers in Mount Pleasant and Beaver Dam

Tom Tiffany, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin, is calling for strong restrictions and regulations on data centers.

GOP State Rep. Scott Krug, representing Wisconsin Rapids, spoke against the data center proposal

Rep. Derrick Van Orden stated that Wisconsin families should not be stuck paying higher utility bills to subsidize massive energy demands from data centers and that if a company needs massive amounts of power, Wisconsin families should not be left holding the bill

Rep. Derrick Van Orden stated he believes local communities should have the final say on data centers and that productive farmland should not be used

Rep. Derrick Van Orden voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act requiring data center companies to pay the full cost of energy generation, transmission and distribution upgrades; stated Wisconsin families should not subsidize data center energy demands and that companies needing massive power should bear those costs

Confirmed by the record: Van Orden voted Yea on H.R. 9340, U.S. House of Representatives roll call 312, September 16, 2026. Read from the statement's words: Derrick Van Orden voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act. Checked against the roll call the record holds on the bill, as the clerk printed it.

Bill data from LegiScan (opens in a new tab), licensed CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab). The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.

Dennis and Susan Ryan propose that Wisconsin's next governor should require efficient brain inspired technology be installed in all existing and proposed data centers.

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued that transmission line plans would destroy the landscape that shaped Tom Uttech's artistic career

City staff recommendation cited delay and postponement from original submission in April, high public concern and missing standards and conditions, and multiple inconsistencies across submitted materials.

State Assemblyman Scott Krug (R Rome) spoke against the data center as a bipartisan community issue

Dennis and Susan Ryan argue that citizens and regulators should demand smarter technology solutions in data centers.

State Rep. Scott Krug said the PNK proposal does not meet the requirement to approve the conditional use permit and the application is incomplete.

Dennis and Susan Ryan recommend an intermediate solution to mitigate detrimental effects from data centers on electrical grid, water supply and environment.

PNK Group stated commitment to resubmit application despite planning commission denial

Dennis and Susan Ryan say hand wringing by NIMBYs is unlikely to stop data center growth in Wisconsin.

Congressman Derrick Van Orden voted yes on H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, which requires state utility regulators to ensure large load customers cover the full incremental costs of generation, transmission, and distribution upgrades

Confirmed by the record: Van Orden voted Yea on H.R. 9340, U.S. House of Representatives roll call 312, September 16, 2026. Read from the statement's words: Derrick Van Orden voted for H.R. 9340. Checked against the roll call the record holds on the bill, as the clerk printed it.

Bill data from LegiScan (opens in a new tab), licensed CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab). The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.

Dennis and Susan Ryan say Nvidia has a monopoly on server technology for data centers and their servers use excessive electricity.

The Uttechs did not plan to sell the property so it would have needed to be taken by eminent domain

Summer Strand, PSC Chair, stated the decision was not opposition to data centers but rather that the application represented a cautionary tale of unrealistic speed to power expectations colliding with a deliberative regulatory process.

Committee concerns include protection of electrical ratepayers, land use, wetland preservation, water resources, energy and water efficiency standards, noise pollution, and infrastructure costs

Kristy Nieto, Public Service Commission Commissioner, stated existing Wisconsin customers should not pay a single cent to subsidize data center service

Data centers use enormous amounts of water, electricity, and land, and can create noise, generator impacts, road impacts and major impacts on surrounding communities

Build Wisconsin Better announced mission to bring Wisconsinites together and help communities ask questions, get information and have a say before decisions about data center development become permanent

Brendan Conway, We Energies spokesperson, said the power line project is a critical part of delivering generation to the data center

Casey Bradley, City Administrator, stated the purpose of the education series is for city officials and residents to learn about data center impacts while drafting zoning ordinances to manage data centers, should they come to Sheboygan; no project is currently planned

Data centers could leave Wisconsin consumers on the hook for as much as $30 billion in added electricity system costs over the next 25 years

Data centers could account for up to 68% of Wisconsin's electricity demand growth by 2030

Charlie Berens joins nonprofit Build Wisconsin Better to challenge hyperscale AI data center developments across Wisconsin

Wisconsin residential electric rates rose nearly 29% since 2021

Steil owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in GE Vernova stock as of his most recent financial disclosure

GE Vernova stock Steil acquired in 2024 was valued between $1,000 and $15,000, growing to $15,000 to $50,000

Marquette University Law School poll in August showed 67% favor a data center moratorium

Steil accepted $13,000 in campaign donations from WEC Energy Group between 2018 and 2026

We Energies customers saw a 12% electric rate increase in 2025 and 2026, with another increase filed for 2027

Residents complained about construction mentioning noise and light pollution

Robert Marchant said neither candidate has called for a moratorium on data centers

Pete Moris said voters believe costs of data centers outweigh the benefits and public sentiment is skeptical of Big Tech and data centers

The meeting will address community concerns including energy demand, potential pollution, noise levels, and environmental effects.

Both gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany support giving local communities the final say on whether data centers are built

Guest speakers will discuss environmental impacts, noise concerns, pollution and energy consumption related to hyperscale data centers

The campus will use a closed loop cooling system for water

Data center related construction activity was byproduct of nonresidential specialty trade employment growth

Becky Valcq, President of Alliant Energy's Wisconsin electric company and Vice President of Energy Delivery, spoke at an educational session about data centers

By early summer 2026 Crowley insisted local communities should have absolute veto power to reject any data center project

Proposed moratorium would last up to 12 months to allow city to amend zoning ordinances related to data centers.

In January 2026 Tom Tiffany called data centers exciting new technology and voted for a federal bill to speed their construction

By May 2026 Tiffany promised to repeal the state tax breaks that lure data centers

No data center projects currently proposed in Oshkosh or Winnebago County

Tiffany ran ads branding his opponent Data Center David Crowley within a week of August 11 Democratic primary

David Crowley in November 2025 said Wisconsin had the opportunity to become a major AI and data center hub for the country and globe

Francesca Hong made a one year moratorium on data centers the centerpiece of her gubernatorial campaign

Chippewa County Board Chair Jason Bergeron cited need for county to pause and do due diligence on data center industry

PNK Group representatives stated site will utilize closed loop cooling system to minimize environmental impacts

Rep. Tom Tiffany, GOP nominee for governor in Wisconsin, opposes new data centers unless strict conditions are met

The nonprofit group Build American AI launched a multimillion dollar ad campaign in Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin to promote data centers.

Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a moratorium on data center construction

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) donated 86000 dollars to David Crowley's campaign for Wisconsin governor

Emily Pritzkow, head of Wisconsin Building Trades Council, wrote in December 2025 op ed that data center construction creates opportunities for thousands of Wisconsinites and this is work that builds the middle class

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, Wisconsin Carpenters, and Steamfitters Local 601 also made five figure donations to Crowley's campaign

Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association made five figure donations to Crowley's gubernatorial campaign

AFL CIO recently passed a resolution calling for promises that technology companies behind data centers must pay commensurate energy and water costs

David Crowley stated that local communities should have control over whether data center projects are built nearby and any data center should be built by union labor

Energy utility MG&E filed a new data center tariff proposal with the Public Service Commission

Wisconsin's previous state budget gave roughly $2 billion in subsidies to data center projects

Tiffany in Congress supports Trump favored legislation 99 percent of the time

Tom Tiffany voted for the SPEED Act, which critics argued would accelerate construction for AI data centers

Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the SPEED Act. Read from the statement's words: Tom Tiffany voted for the SPEED Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.

Tom Tiffany voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which included $70 billion in tax breaks for tech companies building data centers

Not on the record: the record holds no bill called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Read from the statement's words: Tom Tiffany voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Checked against the bills and roll calls the record holds.

Tom Tiffany voted for a 10 year ban on regulating AI

David Crowley argued that every Wisconsin community should have veto power over any data center project within its territory

Tom Tiffany voted for tax cuts that benefit Big Tech and permitting reforms that made data centers easier to build, according to Crowley

City Engineer Roger Strohm said traffic at shift change is crazy

Protest occurred at Wisconsin Rapids in response to PNK Group data center information meeting hosted by company and Eric Adams

Community concerns included water usage, noise pollution and other environmental impacts of the proposed data center

Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher stated data center development would have broken ground in May without community backlash

Eric Adams, PNK Group Chief Development Officer Anton Voronkin stated the company listens to community concerns and would design accordingly

Haley Dobre, Pier Street Development, said job growth from the $15 billion data center complex north of downtown has increased demand for housing

Kaitlyn Federwitz, co founder of South Wood County Neighbors for Responsible Development, called for the strongest data center ordinance in Wisconsin and a moratorium.

PSC chair Summer Strand said ATC filed or refiled 564 application documents after receiving a completeness determination late last year.

Data Centers Brennan expressed support for data center development but argued projects should operate under clear statewide standards.

Pastor Patti Plough of Responsible Energy Alliance celebrated the PSC decision

ATC filed numerous substantial changes to its project application during the proceedings, which led to the revocation

PSC Chairperson Summer Strand described ATC application as clearly underwater and revoked completeness determination

No costs to serve data centers will be shifted to other customers

Data centers have to pay their full costs under the data center rate structure

Vantage North America President Dana Adams said the facility will support Oracle and their end user OpenAI running AI workloads out of the building.

Tax revenue from the facility will begin flowing predominantly when construction is complete.

Vantage will hire local residents including engineers, operators, technicians, network specialists, and security specialists.

The rooftop cooling system is relatively quiet by industry standards because much of the sound vectors upwards.

Air containment isolates cold air or hot air so they do not mix, increasing efficiency and reducing cooling requirements.

The closed loop chilled water system requires only a one time fill of water.

Public Service Commission estimates Wisconsin will need 40 percent more peak demand power in coming years due to data center boom

MEA and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit after state regulators abandoned a required environmental review for the Port Washington data center

On Sept. 23, a Vantage official texted Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke about the governor's office seeking more information on why an EIS would kill the project

Michael Greif, Midwest Environmental Advocates attorney, said case is about transparency and accountability

Every direct data center job in Wisconsin supported more than six additional jobs elsewhere in the economy

Michael Timm, alderman of Wisconsin Rapids, emailed Hotel Mead expressing concern that anti data center signs being sold there would alienate customers and hurt the business.

Victoria Tyson Bloyd, vice president of construction for Vantage, said disruptions from dust should be lessened soon

Michael Graham, Whiting Turner project lead, said there were 85 ironworkers at peak on that building

Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Kristy Nieto said Wisconsin customers should not pay to subsidize data center service

Manske also wants to ban or heavily regulate data center developments and said he took time off of work to protest the Vantage Data Centers project in Port Washington.

Rep. David Steffen, chair of the Committee on Energy and Utilities, said legislation aimed at getting regulations for data centers set into place can be expected next session

Vantage said backup generators are intended for emergencies and required testing and maintenance, running monthly with no more than four generators for 15 minutes, annually one at a time for an hour, and for 15 minutes to validate repairs

Clean Wisconsin found the data centers will add about $100,000 of health harms per year in Ozaukee County from backup diesel generators

Large dump trucks and construction equipment creating traffic congestion near data center

Traffic situation described as genuinely inexcusable

Vantage paying for traffic control and supplementing with flagmen

Traffic control expected to continue until at least October

Patti Plough, Fredonia neighbor, leading opposition group against power lines routing through communities

Vantage said generators will primarily be used one or a few at a time during monthly testing, well below DNR's established limit of 50 hours per generator annually

The data center uses a closed loop cooling system that circulates water like a car radiator

Data centers do not discharge like manufacturing plants and do not require clean air credits or significant discharge permitting

Mark Freeman, Vice President of Global Marketing for Vantage Data Centers, said the company is committed to working with the city on construction alignment

Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said 24 hour construction was always going to be temporary

Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said the one month delay gives developer time to adjust worker schedules

Vantage stated they are committed to balancing schedule with community needs

Dean Wiegert, town resident, told Common Council 24 hour construction is hellish and backup alarms on trucks wake him throughout the night

Port Mayor Ted Neitzke said 24 hour exterior construction would end in about a month, ending exterior 24 hour work weeks earlier than Vantage anticipated end of May

Residents cite bright work lights shining 24 hours, incessant backup beeping, traffic, emissions and dust

Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said the new work hours are necessary to help get the project back on track after delays.

The data center buildings are being constructed concurrently

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican candidate for governor, said the state must find a new template for how Wisconsin deals with energy and data centers to avoid harming existing ratepayers and manufacturers.

State Sen. Kelda Roys, a Democratic candidate, said Wisconsin needs a statewide strategy to deal with data centers and has sponsored legislation with Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin to ensure transparency in data center negotiations.

Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democratic candidate, said if data centers are built in Wisconsin there must be a community benefits agreement, local hiring, protected utility rates for customers, and community input prioritized.

Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes, a Democratic candidate, said she has experience negotiating with big data centers and would be hands on in protecting Wisconsin ratepayers and environment while seizing technology investment opportunities.

State Rep. Francesca Hong, a Democratic candidate, said she is not interested in the state providing subsidies and handouts for large corporations that would impact clean lakes and air.

Business groups argue ordinance conflicts with state law delegating TID authority to municipal governing bodies

No water will be directly piped from Lake Michigan for the Lighthouse Campus.

Project is a cornerstone of Project Stargate, a $500 billion public private AI initiative

Recall effort filed against Mayor Ted Neitzke over data center concerns

The group is concerned about the data center's expected 1.3 gigawatt electricity draw and its effect on local utility rates

The group is worried about how much water the $15 billion data center will use for cooling

According to the recall group, the mayor has been secretive about the data center details and hasn't taken residents' concerns seriously

Great Lakes Neighbors United is working to recall Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke

Opposition from residents has grown with protests and a recall effort announced against the mayor

Mayor Ted Neitzke said the project could create jobs, support local schools and help ensure future employment opportunities

Part of Stargate project, a $500 billion public private initiative

Microsoft's data center campus in Mount Pleasant and Port Washington data center would use more power than all homes in Wisconsin, according to Clean Wisconsin analysis.

The Vantage Data Centers Lighthouse Campus is being built using Wisconsin's clean renewable energy without increasing rates on residents.

Christine Le Jeune, Great Lakes Neighbors United, expressed concern that the TID was passed with little community input

Mayor Ted Neitzke said Vantage is putting all capital up front for infrastructure, city pays them back from TID revenues

Todd Taves, Ehlers Public Finance Advisors, said the $175 million infrastructure cost estimate is conservative

Scott Lone, resident, said the council should vote against the TID creation and invest in people and local businesses instead

In 2019, Vantage made a company decision to no longer use evaporative cooling systems in its data center design.

The data center will not draw water directly from the lake, but will obtain water through existing Port Washington infrastructure.