Wisconsin Regulators Approve Alliant Energy Contract for Meta Data Center in Beaver Dam

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a modified contract allowing Alliant Energy to supply power to Meta's upcoming 700,000 square-foot data center campus in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The decision, made after hours of deliberation, addresses concerns over the tremendous energy needs of data centers and their potential impact on existing utility customers. Commissioner Kristy Nieto initially expressed reservations, stating that the original contract did not adequately protect existing customers from subsidizing costs or taking on risks. Following discussions, the commission approved a modified contract, with an added stipulation. Alliant Energy was ordered to develop a uniform formula for all future data center projects requiring over 100 megawatts of electricity. This ruling follows a prior PSC decision two weeks earlier, which unanimously voted to create a rate plan for data-center scale customers in We Energies' service area, ensuring that data centers, not residential customers, cover their energy consumption costs. Advocacy groups like the Wisconsin Citizen Utility Board and Midwest Environmental Advocates welcomed the PSC's actions, emphasizing the need for transparency and protection against environmental and financial burdens on the public. Public mistrust regarding data center costs is reportedly growing, with a recent Marquette Law School poll indicating that 69% of adults believe data center costs outweigh their benefits.