Dane County poised to join growing number of communities with data center moratoriums

The Dane County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote this week on a proposed 18-month moratorium on hyperscale data center developments, a measure that already received unanimous approval from the county's zoning and land regulation committee on May 26. If passed, Dane County, which encompasses the state capital of Madison, will join an increasing number of Wisconsin communities, including Madison, Cassville, Westport, Baldwin, and Manitowoc County, in enacting temporary bans on data center construction. The moratorium is intended to provide an advisory committee, established last fall by Board Chair Patrick Miles, sufficient time to thoroughly research the economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of authorizing these developments within the more than two dozen communities under the county's zoning authority. Miles emphasized the committee's agnostic approach, aiming to avoid preconceived notions about data centers' value.

The initiative reflects a broader shift in public perception across Wisconsin and nationwide, with Marquette Law School polls indicating that 69% of adults believe data center costs outweigh their benefits. Residents have expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in projects in areas like Port Washington and Beaver Dam, and the potential threat these sprawling campuses pose to farmland and water resources. For instance, in the town of Cassville, Grant County, local opposition, led by figures like Pete Moris of "No Data Centers in the Driftless," successfully pushed the town board to unanimously pass an ordinance in April, banning data centers for two years. Similarly, Menomonie residents, led by Blaine Halverson, organized to block a $1.6 billion proposal, prompting the city council to adopt new regulations in January.

While data center critic Charlie Berens has amplified opposition, the Wisconsin Data Center Coalition, represented by Tricia Braun, acknowledges the "fear and and misleading information" she's seen driving local resistance. The coalition focuses on highlighting economic benefits and fostering understanding among local officials, though Braun understands the desire for communities to "pump the brakes." Conversely, Wade Goodsell of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce opposes such slowdowns, arguing that moratoriums signal "red tape" to businesses. Miles counters that due diligence is reasonable, and rushing decisions erodes public trust. Braun encourages transparency from developers and proactive planning by local officials once moratoriums expire. Grant County Economic Development Corp. Director Ron Bribois noted that the unidentified developer for a proposed $1 billion data center in Cassville has gone silent since the town's ban.