Hyperscale Data Centers in Wisconsin

Faith in Place calls for an immediate pause on all permitting for hyperscale data center developments in Wisconsin, along with a moratorium on related legislation and regulation, until the public has adequate opportunity to understand and weigh in on these projects.

Hyperscale data centers are being proposed and built across Wisconsin at an unprecedented pace. These massive facilities have far-reaching implications for our communities. They affect everything from energy consumption and water resources to local infrastructure, environmental health, and economic priorities. Yet most Wisconsinites have had little chance to learn what these developments mean for their towns, their utility bills, or their future.

The public deserves better. Before we commit our state's resources and reshape our communities to accommodate these industrial-scale projects, people need time to understand what's at stake. They need accessible information about the trade-offs involved. And they need genuine opportunities to voice their priorities and concerns, not just token public comment periods after decisions have already been made.

The people of Wisconsin have a right to shape the future of their own communities. They deserve to ask hard questions: How will these data centers affect our energy grid and climate commitments? Who benefits, and who bears the costs? Are there alternative approaches that better serve the public good?

A pause gives us the time to have these conversations thoughtfully and inclusively, ensuring that any path forward reflects the values and priorities of Wisconsinites themselves, not just the interests of developers and corporations.

We suggest a values-based framework for how to proceed.

1. Transparency and Accountability: The public deserves to see all details about data center projects, have independent experts review them, and ensure companies face real penalties if they break their promises.

2. Community Stewardship and Public Benefit: Data centers should benefit local residents through written commitments. Contingency plans protecting the local community should be established in the event of a data center failure.

3. Fiscal Responsibility & Long-term Risk Management: Companies, not taxpayers, should pay all the costs of building and running data centers, including cleanup if they shut down.

4. Environmental Justice & Equitable Distribution of Burdens/Benefits: Data centers shouldn't be built in neighborhoods already dealing with pollution, and communities that host them should receive direct benefits, such as lower energy bills and job training.

5. Energy Resilience & Responsible Infrastructure Planning: Data centers must run entirely on clean energy, and any new power infrastructure should be useful for other community needs if the data center closes.

Take Action!

Tell the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to pause hyperscale data center development and reject WEPCO’s proposal in the Very Large Customer Tariff docket:

• Testify at a public hearing before the Commission

  • Virtual hearing on Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings 

  • Virtual hearing on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings 

• Submit a written comment: File a comment. (Deadline: February 17.)

• Write a letter to the editor (LTE). Guide coming soon!

• Host a postcard party! Print postcards and talking points to help you quickly write postcards to the Commissioners. Faith in Place will then mail the cards for you. (Download postcards here | Download talking points here.)

Faith in Place is a member of the Clean Economy Coalition and actively track what’s happening at both the state and federal level. We send out action alerts to mobilize our members and make it as easy as possible for you to engage in the process.