Wisconsin communities take action against data center developments
News Clip2:09Civic Media·Port Washington, Manitowoc County, WI·5/12/2026
Major tech companies are developing data centers across Wisconsin, leading to concerns about farmland, water usage, and strain on the power grid. A state bill (AB 840) that would have required data centers to pay for power lines, recycle water, and post cleanup bonds failed to pass in the State Senate. In response, Manitowoc County enacted an 18-month data center moratorium, and Port Washington voters passed an anti-data-center referendum to scrutinize future subsidies.
electricitywatergovernmentmoratoriumoppositionzoning
MicrosoftMetaOracleOpenAIVantage
Gov: Legislative Audit Bureau, Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin State Senate, Manitowoc County, Port Washington
Microsoft, Meta, OpenAI/Oracle/Vantage, and other major data center projects are reshaping Wisconsin — buying farmland, draining water, straining the grid — and the Legislative Audit Bureau says the state is forgoing at least $1.5 billion in sales tax, with Wisconsin Watch/WPR reporting the total could top $2 billion.
Among other things, AB 840 would have made data centers pay for the power lines they need, recycle cooling water, report water use, and post cleanup bonds. The State Senate gaveled out on March 17 without a vote and won't be back until January.
So the towns went to work. Manitowoc County passed an 18-month moratorium unanimously after local leaders said property owners had been approached. Port Washington voters passed the nation's first anti-data-center referendum — not stopping the project already approved, but forcing future mega-subsidies back in front of voters. Sheboygan, Cassville, Wisconsin Rapids, Wrightstown, Delavan — all moving while Madison sleeps.
70% of Wisconsin voters — across the spectrum — say the costs outweigh the benefits.
Sources in pinned comment.
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