Data centers take center stage in Wisconsin governor’s race
Data centers have become a central issue in Wisconsin's gubernatorial race, with candidates debating their energy impact and potential regulations. Democrat Francesca Hong advocates for a moratorium on development and clean energy requirements, while Republican Tom Tiffany seeks to prevent farmland use and repeal tax breaks. Public concern is high due to fears of increased utility bills and pollution from new power plants.
Data centers have emerged as a significant issue in the hotly contested Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor and the broader November election. Public concern about the computing facilities' energy demands and environmental impact has increased, particularly as developers are attracted to the state's climate, water access, and tax incentives.
State Rep. Francesca Hong, a leading Democratic contender, is proposing a moratorium on data center development to allow the state to establish a robust regulatory framework. Her plan, dubbed "Control-Alt-Delete," also calls for data centers to be powered by clean energy, investment of developer taxes into a green bank, and transparent reporting of large customers' energy use by utilities. Other Democratic candidates at a Milwaukee town hall also vowed to implement strict oversight, ratepayer protections, and clean energy investments from data centers and utilities.
Republican candidate Tom Tiffany, a U.S. representative, is also focusing his campaign on curbing data centers, promising to prevent their use of farmland and repeal associated tax breaks. However, in contrast to the Democrats' emphasis on clean energy, Tiffany advocates for state regulators to keep existing coal plants operational beyond their retirement dates to meet the growing power demand.
Local utility We Energies plans to build two new gas plants, including what would be the state's second largest, to supply power for data centers. This has exacerbated fears among Wisconsin residents, with a Marquette University Law School poll indicating that over three-quarters of voters believe data center costs outweigh benefits. This sentiment is fueled by concerns over air and water pollution, land impacts, and the potential for increased household utility bills.