Wisconsin can do more on data centers, Dane County lawmakers say
Local officials in Dane County say Wisconsin needs stronger statewide rules for data center development, warning that communities could compete against one another by offering developers financial or regulatory concessions. Madison, Dane County and Sun Prairie have enacted temporary moratoriums or pauses amid public opposition, while officials also cite electricity demand, transparency concerns and limited local authority.
Policymakers in and around Madison are pressing for stronger statewide oversight of data center development, arguing that leaving decisions primarily to individual communities could create a “race to the bottom.” Dane County Board Chair Patrick Miles sponsored an 18-month moratorium on hyperscale data centers in areas under county zoning authority, while Madison and Sun Prairie have also adopted temporary restrictions. Sun Prairie officials reported unusually strong public engagement, including opposition to data centers and calls for greater transparency.
Local officials say developers often approach communities privately and use nondisclosure agreements, leaving municipalities with limited information and negotiating power. They are concerned about rising electricity demand, potential impacts on utility rates and the limits of local zoning authority, particularly after Wisconsin lawmakers approved data center tax exemptions in 2023. Statewide proposals include providing communities with expert support during negotiations, while some data center proposals have been blocked locally and others near Port Washington and Beaver Dam have continued.