Wisconsin tells $1.4B data center power line to start over
Wisconsin regulators have taken an unprecedented step, forcing American Transmission Co. to restart the yearlong approval process for a $1.4 billion power line intended for the Stargate data center in Port Washington. The Public Service Commission's 3-0 vote revoked a "completeness determination" due to numerous project changes that hindered public and staff review. This decision leaves the timeline for the $15 billion data center project, backed by Vantage Data Centers, Oracle, and OpenAI, in limbo.
Wisconsin regulators have taken an unprecedented action by compelling American Transmission Co. (ATC) to restart the yearlong approval process for a crucial $1.4 billion power line. The Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously voted 3-0 on Thursday to revoke a "completeness determination" previously granted in December for ATC's application.
The high-voltage line, spanning 100 miles, is designed to deliver power to the Stargate data center in Port Washington, Wisconsin. This marks the first time in the PSC's 95-year history that it has taken such a measure, a decision that carries significant implications for the estimated $15 billion data center project.
The commissioners clarified that their decision should not be misinterpreted as a rejection of the power line project itself. However, they cited numerous recent changes to the project that severely hampered both the public's ability to provide input and the commission staff's capacity to thoroughly analyze its potential impacts. The data center project is reportedly backed by Vantage Data Centers, Oracle, and OpenAI, and its timeline now remains in uncertainty.