New Wisconsin data center approved as utilities face scrutiny over electric costs

The Beaver Dam City Council recently approved a second, smaller data center project proposed by Minnesota developer Oppidan Investment Co., including a development agreement, sale agreement for 13.21 acres, and rezoning of land. The facility will be built by CLOP Madison WI LLC and must be substantially completed by July 31, 2028. This approval comes amidst growing public opposition to data center developments in Wisconsin, with recent Marquette Law School polling showing about 70 percent of Wisconsinites believe the costs outweigh the benefits. Residents at the Beaver Dam council meeting spoke against the plan, though it was ultimately approved. Concurrently, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is expected to rule on data center electricity rate proposals from We Energies and Alliant Energy. Analysis from the Sierra Club's Wisconsin Chapter reveals that a vast majority of public comments to the PSC oppose these proposals, primarily due to concerns that energy-intensive data centers will lead to higher electricity costs for other customers. We Energies' proposal would affect all data center-scale customers, including Microsoft's Mount Pleasant campus and Vantage's Port Washington project. Alliant Energy's plan specifically targets Meta's data center in Beaver Dam. Utilities maintain their proposals ensure data centers cover their own costs, preventing shifts to residential or small business customers, while environmental groups and the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin highlight