Hysell Calls For Statewide Rules On AI Data Centers

State Representative Andrew Hysell is urging Wisconsin to establish statewide rules for AI data centers, addressing growing concerns from various communities regarding utility demand, water consumption, noise, vibration, and environmental impact.

Speaking on WBEV’s Community Comment, Hysell highlighted the current lack of specific statewide regulations for data centers in Wisconsin, which forces individual counties, cities, villages, and towns to develop their own responses. He described this decentralized approach as a "patchwork" system.

This discussion comes amid increased scrutiny of data center proposals across the state, including local debates in the Dodge County area about whether temporary moratoriums or new local standards should be implemented. While supporting local government action, Hysell argues that state lawmakers must establish broader rules to manage the significant demands these large facilities place on the electric grid and local resources.

Hysell suggested that legislative areas of focus should include requiring large data centers to contribute to their own power supply, considering renewable energy mandates, and implementing protections for nearby residents from noise, vibration, and pollution. He also emphasized the need to balance economic development claims with potential costs to communities and utility customers. Hysell previously supported Assembly Bill 722, which addressed issues such as large energy customer fees, utility classifications, renewable resource tariffs, data center building requirements, and water usage.