Data centers become flashpoint in Wisconsin governor’s race
Data centers have become a significant issue in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, with both Democratic and Republican candidates proposing plans to regulate the industry. Candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany are focusing on ending tax subsidies, managing electricity rates, and ensuring environmental protection. A recent poll indicates strong public concern over the costs of data centers.
The rapidly expanding data center industry has emerged as a key debate point in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, as candidates David Crowley (Democrat) and Tom Tiffany (Republican) both advocate for stricter oversight. Tiffany, who recently launched a TV ad targeting his opponent as "Data Center David Crowley," proposes ending state tax exemptions for data centers, which the Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates could cost the state $2 billion in foregone sales tax revenue. He also emphasizes protecting farmland and ensuring the Department of Natural Resources thoroughly reviews environmental permits to prevent electricity rate increases.
Crowley, endorsed by Clean Wisconsin Action Fund, focuses on accountability, asserting that data centers should fund their own infrastructure and integrate new clean energy sources. He has committed to working with the state legislature to establish robust guardrails for the industry, protecting natural resources and the people of Wisconsin. A July Marquette Law School poll found that nearly 75% of Wisconsinites believe the costs associated with data centers outweigh their benefits, highlighting public sentiment on the issue.