WI governor candidate Crowley pitches guardrails for AI data centers
Democratic governor nominee David Crowley is advocating for state-level regulations on AI data centers in Wisconsin. He proposes measures to protect local land, water, and power grids, making data centers responsible for all energy and infrastructure upgrade costs. Crowley also suggests data centers should subsidize ratepayer costs and contribute to community benefit agreements.
David Crowley, the Democratic governor nominee and Milwaukee County Executive, outlined his proposals for regulating AI data centers in Wisconsin during an interview on The Rick Solem Show. Crowley expressed concern over the lack of a state framework to protect water, land, and power grids from data center impacts. He called for a special legislative session to address the issue, advocating for data centers to fully cover their energy and infrastructure upgrade costs, potentially by using 100% clean energy.
Crowley clarified his stance on data centers, stating he never said they were "needed" but acknowledged their existing presence in the state, citing examples in Port Washington and Racine. While discussing La Crosse County's 18-month data center moratorium, Crowley argued that moratoriums only address future developments and that the state must regulate currently operating and under-construction facilities.
His proposals include implementing "community benefit agreements" across the state, ensuring data centers subsidize ratepayer costs, and having them contribute to local economies, schools, and small businesses. Crowley emphasized the need for a comprehensive framework to safeguard Wisconsin's agricultural land, water, and its residents from the negative consequences of data center proliferation.