Answers to FAQs about AI data centers, including water, energy usage

Answers to FAQs about AI data centers, including water, energy usage

News ClipMilwaukee Journal Sentinel·Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI·2/23/2026

This story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel answers reader questions about data centers in Wisconsin, including their water and energy usage. It provides context on the scale of new AI-focused hyperscale data centers being proposed across the country, with examples of projects ranging from 16 to 1,900 acres. The story discusses how the infrastructure needed for AI is much larger and more resource-intensive than previous data centers, which can make them controversial in local communities.

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The Journal Sentinel asked readers to send us their questions about Wisconsin data centers. More than 300 responded. We will be posting the answers to those questions here over the next weeks as more are published. This story will also be updated with a video replay of our Feb. 23 town hall meeting