Paris gas plant proposal overwhelmingly opposed by residents but supported by local unions
A proposed 1,100-megawatt natural gas power plant in Paris, Wisconsin, intended partly to support data centers, is facing strong opposition from residents concerned about environmental and health impacts. Local unions support the project for grid reliability and jobs. The Public Service Commission is reviewing public comments and will make a final decision soon.
Residents of Paris, Wisconsin, voiced strong opposition to the proposed 1,100-megawatt Red Oak Ridge Energy Center, a natural gas power plant, during the final public hearings held by the Public Service Commission. Many residents, including Rachel Kirschner, expressed concerns about the plant's potential environmental and health impacts, specifically highlighting air pollution risks for children and linking the plant's purpose to supplying power for new data centers. Kirschner stated that developers "want to pollute our air for a data center" and indicated she would consider moving if the plant is built.
Cassie Steiner of the Sierra Club of Wisconsin reinforced these environmental concerns, noting that the Red Oak and Foundry Ridge projects combined are projected to consume an average of 21.2 million gallons of water annually. Steiner argued that clean water should be reserved for drinking rather than for data center operations, which she described as detrimental to health and climate.
Conversely, local unions, such as Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 118 represented by Josh Birong, supported the gas plant, emphasizing its critical role as a backup generator for the regional energy grid. They warned that without new power plants, the region could face rolling brownouts, deterring industrial development and leading to job losses.
Project developer Daniel Birmingham acknowledged that data centers are "a piece of that puzzle" but clarified that the power generated would go onto the regional electrical grid for all users, not exclusively data centers. The Public Service Commission is currently weighing all received public comments and is expected to issue a final decision in the coming months.