Article

Landowners and local governments in southeastern Wisconsin are challenging American Transmission Co.'s (ATC) proposed high-voltage transmission line for a $15 billion data center project backed by OpenAI and Oracle. The preferred route would impact private properties, including a 70-acre property owned by David Aversa.

This pushback reflects concerns over eminent domain being used for projects primarily benefiting large companies. ATC plans a 100-mile line from Appleton to Port Washington to meet the data center's electricity demands, which have been described as unprecedented. The proposed line has sparked debate about the justification for using eminent domain for a private entity's needs, mirroring similar disputes across the country related to energy infrastructure.