What was said about data centers in Wisconsin
144 statements from 84 speakers, grouped by who spoke. Each appears as said, with the date and the source. No verdict is attached.
From October 16, 2025 to September 25, 2026. Statements from every state are on Statements.
Data center companies 19
Developers, operators and builders of data centers and the technology companies that fill them, speaking through their staff and spokespeople. Every state.
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PNK Group stated commitment to resubmit application despite planning commission denial
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Misty Allen, Vantage Data Centers vice president of public policy North America
The campus will use a closed loop cooling system for water
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PNK Group representatives stated site will utilize closed loop cooling system to minimize environmental impacts
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Eric Adams and Anton Voronkin
Eric Adams, PNK Group Chief Development Officer Anton Voronkin stated the company listens to community concerns and would design accordingly
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Pier Street Development developer
Haley Dobre, Pier Street Development, said job growth from the $15 billion data center complex north of downtown has increased demand for housing
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Ryan Kehoe, Vantage VP of operations
The rooftop cooling system is relatively quiet by industry standards because much of the sound vectors upwards.
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Ryan Kehoe, Vantage VP of operations
The closed loop chilled water system requires only a one time fill of water.
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Vantage official (unnamed)
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
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Tricia Braun, executive director of the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition
Every direct data center job in Wisconsin supported more than six additional jobs elsewhere in the economy
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Vantage Vice President of Construction
Victoria Tyson Bloyd, vice president of construction for Vantage, said disruptions from dust should be lessened soon
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Michael Graham, Whiting Turner project lead, said there were 85 ironworkers at peak on that building
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Mark Freeman, Vantage Data Centers Vice President of Global Marketing
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
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Vantage Data Centers
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
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Vice President of Global Marketing, Vantage Data Centers
Mark Freeman, Vice President of Global Marketing for Vantage Data Centers, said the company is committed to working with the city on construction alignment
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Vantage Data Centers
Vantage stated they are committed to balancing schedule with community needs
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Edwin Van Velzen, Sr. Vice President for Construction, Vantage Data Centers
The data center buildings are being constructed concurrently
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Vantage Data Centers
Part of Stargate project, a $500 billion public private initiative
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unnamed Vantage Data Centers representative
In 2019, Vantage made a company decision to no longer use evaporative cooling systems in its data center design.
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unnamed Vantage Data Centers representative
The data center will not draw water directly from the lake, but will obtain water through existing Port Washington infrastructure.
Government 40
Officials in office, lawmakers, regulators, public agencies and courts, federal, state, tribal and local. Every state.
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Wisconsin State Representative
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.
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Republican incumbent congressman
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.
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U.S. Representative
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
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Wisconsin State Representative
GOP State Rep. Scott Krug, representing Wisconsin Rapids, spoke against the data center proposal
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U.S. Representative
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
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U.S. Representative
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
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U.S. Representative
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, licensed CC BY 4.0. The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.
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Wisconsin Rapids city staff
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.
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Wisconsin State Assemblyman
State Assemblyman Scott Krug (R Rome) spoke against the data center as a bipartisan community issue
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State Rep. Scott Krug said the PNK proposal does not meet the requirement to approve the conditional use permit and the application is incomplete.
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U.S. Congressman from 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, licensed CC BY 4.0. The record chooses the bills, writes each stage in its own words and cites the legislature's own page for every bill.
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Wisconsin Public Service Commission Chair
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.
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Brown County Planning, Development and Transportation Committee
Committee concerns include protection of electrical ratepayers, land use, wetland preservation, water resources, energy and water efficiency standards, noise pollution, and infrastructure costs
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Kristy Nieto, Public Service Commission Commissioner, stated existing Wisconsin customers should not pay a single cent to subsidize data center service
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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
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Wisconsin Rapids city staff
Proposed moratorium would last up to 12 months to allow city to amend zoning ordinances related to data centers.
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U.S. Representative from Wisconsin
In January 2026 Tom Tiffany called data centers exciting new technology and voted for a federal bill to speed their construction
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Oshkosh city staff
No data center projects currently proposed in Oshkosh or Winnebago County
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U.S. Senator
Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a moratorium on data center construction
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Milwaukee County Executive
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
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City Engineer, Port Washington
City Engineer Roger Strohm said traffic at shift change is crazy
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Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher stated data center development would have broken ground in May without community backlash
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PSC chair Summer Strand said ATC filed or refiled 564 application documents after receiving a completeness determination late last year.
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Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
ATC filed numerous substantial changes to its project application during the proceedings, which led to the revocation
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PSC Chairperson Summer Strand described ATC application as clearly underwater and revoked completeness determination
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Public Service Commission estimates Wisconsin will need 40 percent more peak demand power in coming years due to data center boom
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Wisconsin Public Service Commission commissioner
Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Kristy Nieto said Wisconsin customers should not pay to subsidize data center service
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Christy Knowles, Sheriff
Vantage paying for traffic control and supplementing with flagmen
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Christy Knowles, Sheriff
Traffic control expected to continue until at least October
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Ted Neitzke, Mayor of Port Washington
The data center uses a closed loop cooling system that circulates water like a car radiator
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Ted Neitzke, Mayor of Port Washington
Data centers do not discharge like manufacturing plants and do not require clean air credits or significant discharge permitting
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Mayor of Port Washington
Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said 24 hour construction was always going to be temporary
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Mayor of Port Washington
Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said the one month delay gives developer time to adjust worker schedules
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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
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Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke said the new work hours are necessary to help get the project back on track after delays.
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Port Washington Mayor
Mayor Ted Neitzke said the project could create jobs, support local schools and help ensure future employment opportunities
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Ted Neitzke IV, Port Washington Mayor
Mayor Ted Neitzke said Vantage is putting all capital up front for infrastructure, city pays them back from TID revenues
Chief executives 7
Chief executives, presidents, founders and chairs of companies, in technology, data centers, power and elsewhere. Every state.
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Alliant Energy President of Wisconsin operations
Becky Valcq, President of Alliant Energy's Wisconsin electric company and Vice President of Energy Delivery, spoke at an educational session about data centers
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Vantage North America President Dana Adams said the facility will support Oracle and their end user OpenAI running AI workloads out of the building.
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Dana Adams, Vantage North America President
Tax revenue from the facility will begin flowing predominantly when construction is complete.
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Dana Adams, Vantage North America president
Vantage will hire local residents including engineers, operators, technicians, network specialists, and security specialists.
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Dana Adams, Vantage North America president
Air containment isolates cold air or hot air so they do not mix, increasing efficiency and reducing cooling requirements.
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Dana Adams, Vantage Data Centers North America President
Project is a cornerstone of Project Stargate, a $500 billion public private AI initiative
Utilities and grid operators 3
Electric utilities, cooperatives and the operators of the power grid, and the people who speak for them. Every state.
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Brendan Conway, We Energies spokesperson, said the power line project is a critical part of delivering generation to the data center
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Brendan Conway, We Energies spokesperson
No costs to serve data centers will be shifted to other customers
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Brendan Conway, We Energies spokesperson
Data centers have to pay their full costs under the data center rate structure
Candidates and campaigns 13
People running for office, their campaigns and their parties. A candidate who does not hold the office is not an official. Every state.
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Democratic Assembly candidate
Kevin Knoke, Democratic challenger in 30th Assembly District, said he wants ratepayer protections, environmental protections, transparency, and accountability for data centers
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Democratic candidate
Rebecca Cooke says Van Orden voted to give an $83 billion tax break to data center developers.
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Democratic candidate
Rebecca Cooke has been a strong advocate for a data center moratorium.
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Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate
Tom Tiffany, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin, is calling for strong restrictions and regulations on data centers.
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gubernatorial candidate
By early summer 2026 Crowley insisted local communities should have absolute veto power to reject any data center project
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gubernatorial candidate
By May 2026 Tiffany promised to repeal the state tax breaks that lure data centers
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Tom Tiffany campaign
Tiffany ran ads branding his opponent Data Center David Crowley within a week of August 11 Democratic primary
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gubernatorial candidate
David Crowley in November 2025 said Wisconsin had the opportunity to become a major AI and data center hub for the country and globe
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Wisconsin state representative and gubernatorial candidate
Francesca Hong made a one year moratorium on data centers the centerpiece of her gubernatorial campaign
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Wisconsin GOP gubernatorial nominee
Rep. Tom Tiffany, GOP nominee for governor in Wisconsin, opposes new data centers unless strict conditions are met
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David Crowley, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate
Wisconsin's previous state budget gave roughly $2 billion in subsidies to data center projects
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David Crowley, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate
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.
Business groups and unions 6
Chambers of commerce, trade associations and labor unions. Every state.
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International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) donated 86000 dollars to David Crowley's campaign for Wisconsin governor
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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
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Multiple unions
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, Wisconsin Carpenters, and Steamfitters Local 601 also made five figure donations to Crowley's campaign
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Wisconsin Pipe Trades Association made five figure donations to Crowley's gubernatorial campaign
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AFL CIO recently passed a resolution calling for promises that technology companies behind data centers must pay commensurate energy and water costs
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Dale Kooyenga, President, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Business groups argue ordinance conflicts with state law delegating TID authority to municipal governing bodies
Advocates and residents 27
Advocacy and community groups on every side, residents, neighbors and people speaking at public meetings. Every state.
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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
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Evergreen Collaborative
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
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Evergreen Collaborative
Data centers could account for up to 68% of Wisconsin's electricity demand growth by 2030
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Port Washington residents
Residents complained about construction mentioning noise and light pollution
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Wisconsin Partnership for Progress
Robert Marchant said neither candidate has called for a moratorium on data centers
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data center advocate
Pete Moris said voters believe costs of data centers outweigh the benefits and public sentiment is skeptical of Big Tech and data centers
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South Wood County Neighbors for Responsible Development
The meeting will address community concerns including energy demand, potential pollution, noise levels, and environmental effects.
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South Wood County Neighbors for Responsible Development, organizers
Guest speakers will discuss environmental impacts, noise concerns, pollution and energy consumption related to hyperscale data centers
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The nonprofit group Build American AI launched a multimillion dollar ad campaign in Kansas, Ohio and Wisconsin to promote data centers.
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protest organizers Emily Oetzman and Danielle McDonald, South Wood County Neighbors for Responsible Development
Protest occurred at Wisconsin Rapids in response to PNK Group data center information meeting hosted by company and Eric Adams
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Wisconsin Rapids community members and protest organizers
Community concerns included water usage, noise pollution and other environmental impacts of the proposed data center
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Pastor, Responsible Energy Alliance
Pastor Patti Plough of Responsible Energy Alliance celebrated the PSC decision
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MEA and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit after state regulators abandoned a required environmental review for the Port Washington data center
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Michael Greif, Midwest Environmental Advocates attorney, said case is about transparency and accountability
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Ben Donajkowski, Port Washington resident
Large dump trucks and construction equipment creating traffic congestion near data center
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Ben Donajkowski, Port Washington resident
Traffic situation described as genuinely inexcusable
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Fredonia neighbor and Responsible Energy Alliance advocate
Patti Plough, Fredonia neighbor, leading opposition group against power lines routing through communities
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Port Washington resident
Dean Wiegert, town resident, told Common Council 24 hour construction is hellish and backup alarms on trucks wake him throughout the night
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Kim Tydrick, Port Washington resident
Residents cite bright work lights shining 24 hours, incessant backup beeping, traffic, emissions and dust
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Sebastian Elischer, Great Lakes Neighbors United
Recall effort filed against Mayor Ted Neitzke over data center concerns
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Mike Beaster, Great Lakes Neighbors United
The group is concerned about the data center's expected 1.3 gigawatt electricity draw and its effect on local utility rates
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Mike Beaster, Great Lakes Neighbors United
The group is worried about how much water the $15 billion data center will use for cooling
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Mike Beaster, Great Lakes Neighbors United
According to the recall group, the mayor has been secretive about the data center details and hasn't taken residents' concerns seriously
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Mike Beaster
Great Lakes Neighbors United is working to recall Port Washington Mayor Ted Neitzke
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Great Lakes Neighbors United
Opposition from residents has grown with protests and a recall effort announced against the mayor
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Christine Le Jeune, Great Lakes Neighbors United, expressed concern that the TID was passed with little community input
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Port Washington resident
Scott Lone, resident, said the council should vote against the TID creation and invest in people and local businesses instead
Researchers and analysts 4
Universities, research institutes, think tanks, pollsters, economists and consultants. Every state.
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Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued that transmission line plans would destroy the landscape that shaped Tom Uttech's artistic career
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Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty
The Uttechs did not plan to sell the property so it would have needed to be taken by eminent domain
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Anirban Basu, chief economist at Associated Builders and Contractors
Data center related construction activity was byproduct of nonresidential specialty trade employment growth
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Todd Taves, Ehlers Public Finance Advisors, said the $175 million infrastructure cost estimate is conservative
Other voices 25
Journalists, lawyers, former officials, and speakers the source describes in words that name none of the groups above. Every state.
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Bill Hogseth, GROWW co executive director, said data centers are extracting water and wealth from communities
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columnists
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.
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columnists
Dennis and Susan Ryan argue that citizens and regulators should demand smarter technology solutions in data centers.
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columnists
Dennis and Susan Ryan recommend an intermediate solution to mitigate detrimental effects from data centers on electrical grid, water supply and environment.
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columnists
Dennis and Susan Ryan say hand wringing by NIMBYs is unlikely to stop data center growth in Wisconsin.
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columnists
Dennis and Susan Ryan say Nvidia has a monopoly on server technology for data centers and their servers use excessive electricity.
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article author
Illinois has become a major data center market with proposed legislation addressing data center concerns including electricity prices, water use, and pollution
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article author
Data centers use enormous amounts of water, electricity, and land, and can create noise, generator impacts, road impacts and major impacts on surrounding communities
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comedian
Charlie Berens joins nonprofit Build Wisconsin Better to challenge hyperscale AI data center developments across Wisconsin
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Judith Ruiz-Branch, Public News Service
Wisconsin residential electric rates rose nearly 29% since 2021
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Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Courier
Steil owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in GE Vernova stock as of his most recent financial disclosure
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Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Courier
GE Vernova stock Steil acquired in 2024 was valued between $1,000 and $15,000, growing to $15,000 to $50,000
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Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Courier
Marquette University Law School poll in August showed 67% favor a data center moratorium
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Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Courier
Steil accepted $13,000 in campaign donations from WEC Energy Group between 2018 and 2026
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Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Courier
We Energies customers saw a 12% electric rate increase in 2025 and 2026, with another increase filed for 2027
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news report
Both gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany support giving local communities the final say on whether data centers are built
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Energy utility MG&E filed a new data center tariff proposal with the Public Service Commission
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News reporting on official records
Tiffany in Congress supports Trump favored legislation 99 percent of the time
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News reporting
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.
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News reporting on Tiffany's record
Tom Tiffany voted for a 10 year ban on regulating AI
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Ciaran Gallagher, Clean Wisconsin Energy and Air Manager
Clean Wisconsin found the data centers will add about $100,000 of health harms per year in Ozaukee County from backup diesel generators
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Emily Backus, Sustainability Director, North America
No water will be directly piped from Lake Michigan for the Lighthouse Campus.
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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.
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unnamed narrator
The Vantage Data Centers Lighthouse Campus is being built using Wisconsin's clean renewable energy without increasing rates on residents.
The group comes from the words the source gives for the speaker; how the groups are read. Every statement on the record is in CSV and JSON, with its group and its state.
