Port Washington AI data center dealt massive blow
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin revoked the completeness determination for American Transmission Company's (ATC) application to construct power lines for a large AI data center in Port Washington. This decision, prompted by significant changes to ATC's application, halts the regulatory process and requires ATC to restart it. Public hearings for the project have been cancelled.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has revoked the completeness determination for American Transmission Company's (ATC) application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). This application was for the Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project, which involves new and rebuilt power lines, up to five new substations, and maintenance to support a large AI data center in Port Washington.
The commission's unanimous decision, made during an open meeting on Thursday, means ATC's application is now incomplete and the 180-day review clock has reset. The revocation was prompted by numerous substantial changes filed by ATC to its project application since it was initially deemed complete in December, and concerns raised by the commission's administrative law judge and other participants regarding missing and changing information.
Although this decision is not a denial of the project itself, it constitutes a significant setback, forcing ATC to file a new application and restart the entire regulatory process. Consequently, public hearings that were scheduled for August 18 in Fredonia and August 19 in Kiel have been canceled. The power line project is designed to impact parts of Ozaukee and Washington counties, as well as Calumet, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties in Northeast Wisconsin.