Wisconsin City Passes America’s First Anti-Data Center Referendum

Voters in Port Washington, Wisconsin, have approved the nation's first anti-data center referendum, which mandates public approval for any future tax breaks granted to data center projects. This decision, championed by local citizens' group Great Lakes Neighbors Incorporated, aims to give residents a greater say in how their tax dollars are allocated towards energy-intensive developments. The referendum, however, does not impact the existing $15 billion Vantage Data Centers project, which is currently under construction and slated to open in 2028. This facility, intended for tech giants OpenAI and Oracle, is expected to receive significant tax benefits from the city. The Port Washington vote occurs amidst a broader national conversation, with progressive Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders advocating for a national moratorium on AI data center construction due to concerns about risks and impacts. This national push faces bipartisan opposition in Congress, with figures like Sen. Mark Warner expressing concerns about hindering U.S. competitiveness against China. Following its passage, the Port Washington referendum has become the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, which claims the measure violates state law. The article also notes that other municipalities, such as Monterey Park, California, are considering similar actions to ban new data center construction.