Wisconsin gubernatorial candidates debate data center policy and energy
Data centers have become a central and highly debated issue in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, with public opinion rapidly turning against them. Candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley have shifted their stances on data center development, tax breaks, and infrastructure costs, linking the debate to broader energy policy concerning renewables and fossil fuels. The Public Service Commission projects a significant surge in the state's peak power demand, largely driven by data centers.
Data centers have unexpectedly emerged as the primary issue in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, prompting a rapid shift in public sentiment and political rhetoric. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin), initially a proponent of data center construction, has reversed his position during his gubernatorial campaign, now vowing to repeal state tax breaks for data centers. He has also linked the data center backlash to his long-standing opposition to renewable energy projects like wind and solar, advocating for continued reliance on coal-fired plants.
His Democratic rival, David Crowley, initially supported Wisconsin becoming an AI and data center hub. However, he has also adjusted his stance, now emphasizing local community veto power over projects and insisting that developers bear the full costs of grid and infrastructure upgrades, as well as providing their own clean energy. While both candidates agree on certain guardrails, such as banning nondisclosure agreements and protecting residential energy rates, Tiffany has focused on Crowley's refusal to claw back existing tax breaks. Francesca Hong, another Democratic candidate, centered her primary campaign on a one-year moratorium on data centers but lost to Crowley.
Public opinion in Wisconsin has sharply turned against data centers, with Marquette Law School polls showing opposition rising from 55% to 78% in less than a year, with an unusually low partisan gap. This backlash is reshaping the political landscape, with candidates maneuvering to align with public sentiment. The debate also intertwines with the state's energy future, as the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin projects a 40% jump in peak power demand over six years, largely due to data centers. Utilities like We Energies are planning new gas plants and walking back coal plant retirements, while also seeking significant rate increases, leading to renewed discussions about renewable energy's role in affordability.