PNK Group Hosts Data Center Webinars for Wisconsin Rapids

PNK Group recently hosted a webinar to address community concerns regarding water usage for its proposed hyperscale data center in Wisconsin Rapids. Developers stated they plan to use a closed-loop system with propylene glycol for cooling, ensuring the coolant is reused and is non-hazardous, thereby minimizing water consumption at the old paper mill site. The PNK Group has scheduled two additional webinars: one on noise for July 24th and another on their community benefit plan, including job creation, for July 27th.

In related news, the Oneida County Board unanimously voted to enact a one-year moratorium on new data centers across most of the county. This ban is a preventive measure to allow county officials time to establish long-term regulations, as there are currently no state or federal guidelines governing data center development, which a county representative described as "almost like open season." The moratorium may be extended if more time is needed and does not apply to the unzoned areas of Sugar Camp, Monico, or Enterprise, nor to the city of Rhinelander, which manages its own zoning.