Wisconsin GOP Proposes Legislation to Regulate Data Centers and Protect Utility Costs
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to regulate data centers, aiming to protect families and businesses from rising utility costs and environmental impacts. The bill mandates that the Public Service Commission prevent costs associated with data centers from being passed on to other customers, requires closed-loop cooling systems, annual water usage reporting, and on-site renewable energy facilities. In contrast, Democratic lawmakers are advocating for regulations to ensure long-term benefits from data centers, including a moratorium on AI data center construction.
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Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin have introduced a proposal aimed at protecting families and businesses from rising utility bills and environmental issues associated with data center developments. The legislation, led by Rep.
Shannon Zimmerman and Sen. Romaine Quinn, mandates that the Public Service Commission ensure costs related to electric infrastructure for data centers are not passed on to other customers. The bill requires data centers to utilize closed-loop cooling systems, report annual water usage to the Department of Natural Resources, and maintain on-site renewable energy facilities to promote efficiency.
Data center operators must also post bonds for reclamation costs in case of project abandonment. A Marquette University poll indicates that 55% of voters believe the costs of data centers outweigh their benefits.
Concurrently, Democratic lawmakers are proposing regulations to ensure data center developments yield long-term benefits, including a call for a moratorium on AI data center construction by Rep. Francesca Hong.
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