Brown County leaders consider statewide pause on data center construction
The Brown County Board of Supervisors is considering a resolution to request a statewide moratorium on data center construction in Wisconsin. This comes after over 100 residents voiced concerns about data center developments, prompting the committee to call for comprehensive statewide regulations addressing issues like electrical rates, land use, and environmental impact. The board will discuss the resolution at its monthly meeting.
The Brown County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss and potentially approve a resolution during its monthly meeting on Wednesday night, advocating for a statewide moratorium on data center construction in Wisconsin. The resolution, submitted by the Planning, Development and Transportation Committee, urges the Wisconsin Legislature to implement a building pause until comprehensive statewide regulations are established.
County leaders have outlined numerous concerns that they believe the state should address, including the protection of electrical ratepayers, responsible land use, wetland preservation, water resources, energy and water efficiency standards, noise pollution, and infrastructure costs.
This move follows a Brown County Planning Commission meeting on June 2, where more than 100 community members expressed their objections to data center developments. Although the committee members clarified they lacked the legal authority to enact a county-level moratorium, they agreed to form an informal group to explore avenues for local leaders to support a statewide pause. If approved, copies of the resolution will be sent to state legislators.