Sierra Club Report Details Wisconsin's Water Use, Cites Data Centers and Gas Plants
A new Sierra Club report, "Thirsty Power: Coal and gas will leave us high and dry," reveals that Wisconsin's power generation consumes 1.34 trillion gallons of water annually. The report warns that proposed data centers and new gas plants will exacerbate this water usage, especially during a statewide drought. Sierra Club Wisconsin calls for an end to the reliance on fossil fuels to protect the state's vital water resources.
A new report by the Sierra Club, titled "Thirsty Power: Coal and gas will leave us high and dry," has analyzed Wisconsin's current power generation and its substantial water footprint, revealing that 1.34 trillion gallons are used annually. The report warns that this exorbitant water consumption is set to increase significantly with the rise of data center proposals and new gas plants across the state.
Elizabeth Ward, Director of the Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter, emphasized the critical importance of water to Wisconsin's way of life. She stated that the state's dependence on fossil fuels for power is depleting this precious resource. Ward highlighted that "Big Tech" companies are planning massive AI data centers, which in turn are prompting calls for new gas plants from power plant builders.
Ward urged regulators to reconsider approvals for these gas plants, citing enormous potential costs to the environment, water, and residents' finances. She called for an immediate halt to the "fossil fuel and gas rush" to safeguard Wisconsin's water, which is essential for drinking, swimming, and fishing.