Brown County seeks data center moratorium to give communities 'a little bit more teeth'

Brown County, Wisconsin, is contemplating a data center moratorium to empower local municipalities in regulating new developments. Brown County Supervisor Christopher Welch proposed the moratorium, explaining it would serve as a "guidance" or "framework" for communities when approached about data centers, rather than a county-wide ban. This approach is necessary because Brown County lacks county-wide zoning authority, meaning land-use decisions largely rest with individual cities, towns, and villages.

The Planning, Development and Transportation Committee is scheduled to discuss and vote on the proposed moratorium. If approved by the committee, it would then advance to the full Brown County Board for a final vote. The Wisconsin Data Center Coalition, represented by Executive Director Tricia Braun, expressed concerns about the proliferation of false information regarding data centers, particularly claims about water usage and utility rate impacts, which she disputes. Braun acknowledged that moratoriums offer communities time for research but hopes they do not lead to projects being rejected based on fear. Meanwhile, the Village of Wrightstown, also in Brown County, recently voted to place a data center referendum on its August ballot.