Data Centers

Everyone is concerned about data centers, and I understand why–we worry about the impacts that these large scale projects have on our communities, the environment, public health, and our utility bills.

But here’s what a lot of folks don’t know, there is already legislation sitting in Madison that would help to alleviate many of these concerns. In fact, the legislature at any time could go into what’s called an “Extraordinary Session” and vote on this legislation (described below). And yet, unfortunately, Republican lawmakers and Republican leadership in Madison have continually refused to give this bill a vote. As a legislator, this has been frustrating to see our legislature do nothing to protect Wisconsinites.

I am a co-author of the Data Center Accountability Act (2025 Senate Bill 729) that was spearheaded by Milwaukee-area legislator Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin last year. 2025 Senate Bill 729 would prevent data centers from passing costs to citizens, require transparency about water usage, energy consumption, climate change, and emissions concerns,  and ensure that these companies pay for the energy infrastructure needed for them to operate, and for the energy that they use. When Republican leadership blocked a vote on this bill, they left us with data center developments that are not subject to this regulation – and I recognize that has left Wisconsinites deeply concerned. 

I support efforts to repeal the tax giveaways that were given to data centers to get them to set up shop here in Wisconsin. Under no circumstances should the public be funding these projects when the companies building these data centers have billions, if not trillions, of dollars in assets. 

 Data Centers & Public Health:

I am concerned about the health effects of data centers on the Wisconsinites living closest to them, so my office is spending the summer researching what this looks like around the country. 

We know that Milwaukee-area children are already experiencing more than twice the national average of asthma rates, and we know that the fine particulate matter that arises from fossil fuel combustion is linked to increases in asthma rates. We also know that the highest daily average of fine particulate matter is in Milwaukee – and this is also higher than the national average. So, we need to consider the health effects of data centers on our area children – I believe we have a moral mandate to protect the health of Wisconsin’s kids.

My legislative survey earlier this spring showed the abundance of concern about data centers coming to Wisconsin. If you filled out that survey, thank you. Your voice matters.