Wisconsin lawmakers fail to act on data center regulations; frustrations build

The Wisconsin Senate concluded its legislative business without voting on proposed data center regulations, leaving the issue unaddressed until at least next year. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of action, despite acknowledging the need for rules governing data center development across the state. Democratic State Senator Jodie Habish Synikin, who dedicated five months to drafting a "data center accountability bill" with input from utilities and environmentalists, voiced her disappointment, calling it an "inexcusable failure." Her bill, which aimed for transparency in water and energy usage, did not advance. Similarly, a Republican-authored proposal, designed to protect utility ratepayers from price hikes and prevent farmland from being used solely for data center renewable energy, also failed to reach a vote in the Senate, despite passing the state Assembly in January. Republican Speaker Robin Voss expressed regret that the Senate did not follow the Assembly's lead. Lawmakers are not expected to reconvene until next year, unless called back for a special session by the governor in April.