Voters Oppose Data Centers in Pioneering Referendum

Residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin, a Milwaukee suburb, have overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that places strict limits on future data center construction. The referendum, which passed with a roughly 2-to-1 margin, requires any new data center projects seeking significant local tax breaks to first gain voter approval. This ordinance, however, does not impact the existing $15 billion "Stargate" data center campus, a project involving OpenAI and Oracle and reportedly backed by the Trump administration. The measure was championed by Great Lakes Neighbors United, a local grassroots organization that had previously opposed the Stargate project. Christine Le Jeune, a founding member, emphasized that the vote demonstrated democracy in action, stating, "The people deserve a seat at the table when their tax dollars are on the line." Fellow founding member Michael Beaster clarified, "We are not against development. We are for development that the community understands, supports, and has chosen together." Supporters believe this referendum could serve as a model for other communities concerned about the environmental and infrastructural impacts of AI-driven data centers, specifically citing issues like water usage, noise pollution, transparency, and energy demands. Conversely, local business groups and the city's mayor opposed the measure, expressing concerns that it could deter broader economic development. A regional chamber has already initiated legal action to block the ordinance, asserting that it violates state law. Similar community-level debates and votes on data center limits are anticipated in parts of California, Michigan, and another Wisconsin city later this year.