PSC to hold hearing on Beaver Dam data center

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is scheduled to hold a hearing concerning a proposed 10-year contract rate between utility provider Alliant Energy and tech giant Meta. The contract pertains to Meta's construction of a $1 billion data center in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Alliant Energy's proposal addresses the energy needs of the expansive 700,000-square-foot facility, which is projected to consume up to 220 megawatts of power. However, local residents in Beaver Dam have voiced significant concerns regarding the project's potential impact on energy rates. During a March town hall meeting, neighbors expressed apprehension about potential energy rate hikes. The data center is currently under construction along Highway 151 and is expected to become operational by 2027. The PSC hearing will likely delve into the financial implications of the proposed contract and its broader effects on the utility's customer base.