Brown County, Wisconsin, Committee to Consider Data Center Moratorium
Brown County, Wisconsin, is considering implementing a data center moratorium, which a committee is set to discuss and vote on. Due to a lack of county-wide zoning, the moratorium would serve as guidance for individual municipalities rather than a direct ban. Meanwhile, the Village of Wrightstown has voted to place a data center referendum on the August ballot.
Brown County, Wisconsin, is deliberating a proposed moratorium on data center development, with its Planning, Development and Transportation Committee scheduled for a vote on Tuesday. Brown County Supervisor Christopher Welch, who introduced the idea, explained that the moratorium aims to provide individual municipalities with greater leverage in regulating data centers, as the county itself lacks county-wide zoning authority to control land-use decisions directly.
The Wisconsin Data Center Coalition, represented by Executive Director Tricia Braun, voiced concerns about the proliferation of false information contributing to public fear and opposition. Braun asserted that data centers utilize closed-loop water systems that do not impact local water supplies and do not affect utility rates. While acknowledging that moratoriums offer communities time to gather information, Braun cautioned against rejecting projects based on fear, stating it could lead to missed opportunities.
Should the moratorium pass the committee, it will advance to the full Brown County Board for a final vote. This development comes as other Wisconsin counties, such as Manitowoc County, have already enacted similar moratoriums. Separately, the Village of Wrightstown recently voted to include a data center referendum on its August ballot.