Up and Down Ballot, Data Centers Becoming Issue for Voters

Across Wisconsin, voters are increasingly factoring proposed data center developments into their local election decisions, according to a recent Urban Milwaukee report. Experts from Penn State's Center for Energy Law and Policy note that data centers are sparking a broader range of community concerns, leading to growing political interest and candidates being pressed on their stances. This trend was evident in Port Washington, where voters approved a first-in-the-nation referendum to grant citizens more input on data center plans, and in Janesville, where Cassandra Pope was elected to city council after actively organizing against a proposed facility. In Menomonie, Mayor Matthew Crowe, who recently ousted a 16-year incumbent, indicated that while he didn't run solely on data center opposition, many voter concerns stemmed from a paused $1.6 billion data center project in the city. Following community pushback, the Menomonie City Council, on which Crowe served, passed an ordinance to restrict future data center development. Opponents cite worries over increased energy costs, water usage, and noise/light pollution, while proponents emphasize job creation and tax revenue. Recent Marquette polling indicates a majority of Wisconsinites, across party lines, believe data center costs outweigh benefits, with Republicans showing increasing caution. The issue has united diverse voters, as concerns extend beyond infrastructure to the perceived "money and political power" of developers and a lack of transparency, including the use of non-disclosure agreements. This pattern isn't unique to Wisconsin; a St. Louis suburb recently saw four city council members ousted due to backlash against a proposed $6 billion data center project and their support for it. This demonstrates how data center issues are profoundly influencing local politics and election outcomes nationwide.